(UTV|COLOMBO) – A magnitude-6.3 earthquake has hit western Iran near its border with Iraq, injuring more than 500 people and sending fearful residents into the streets.
The quake hit near the city of Sarpol-e Zahab in Iran’s Kermanshah province, which was the epicentre of a magnitude-7.3 earthquake last year that killed more than 600 people.
Local authorities told Iranian state television 513 people were hurt in the latest quake.
Most of the injuries appeared to be minor. The semi-official Iranian Students News Agency reported only 33 people needed to be hospitalised.
Dozens of rescue teams were immediately deployed after the quake and the country’s army and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard were also responding.
Officials reported damage at buildings both in towns and in rural areas, as well as to some roads.
The quake struck just after 8:00pm on Sunday (local time), meaning most were still awake at the time and able to quickly flee.
The earthquake also downed power lines and caused power outages.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake hit at a depth of 10 kilometres.
