5.9-magnitude earthquake rattles western Iran

International Desk: At least two people were killed and at least 100 were injured when a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck in western Iran's Kermanshah province early Sunday, said the general directorate of Kermanshah Province, as reported by Iran's government news agency IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency).

The epicenter of the quake was almost 6 miles from the city of Tazehabad and about 19 miles from the city of Javanrud.

Both cities are close to the Iran-Iraq border. The earthquake struck at a depth of some 10 kilometers (6 miles).

Iran's Emergency and Natural Disaster Agency told state-run Press TV that five rescue teams have been sent to the area.
 
Press TV, an English-language television station in Iran, tweeted that people were rushed to the hospital, though there were no immediate casualty figures.
 
Residents in Baghdad, in neighboring Iraq, told CNN they felt the capital city shake. Baghdad is located about 342 kilometers, or more than 200 miles, from the Iran border.

"Oh my gosh. My furniture moved across the floor," one resident said. "I had to call and check all my relatives were OK."

"Literally, the bed was shaking," another said.

The earthquake was first reported at 6.1 magnitude by the US Geological Survey.

More than 400 people were killed when a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the Iran-Iraq border in November 2017.


Source: Agencies




risingbd/Aug 26, 2018/Mukul