TEHRAN // A strong, magnitude 6.2 earthquake jolted a sparsely populated mountainous province near Iran’s border with Iraq on Monday, Iranian state television reported.
There were no reports of fatalities but an official said some 60 people have been injured and that the earthquake had caused widespread damage.
The TV said the quake hit the town of Murmuri, about 500 kilometres south-west of the capital, Tehran, at 7.02am (6.32am UAE). It said the 6.2-magnitude quake happened at the depth of 10 kilometres. Earlier, the TV had put the quakes magnitude at 6.1 but didn’t explain the discrepancy.
Mohammad Reza Morvarid, the province governor, said 60 people were injured and that because minor quakes were felt in the area on Sunday, the residents were somewhat prepared.
“Many people slept outdoors,” Mr Morvarid said, adding that “many buildings have been damaged.”
Monday’s earthquake was also felt in neighbouring provinces. The US Geological Survey put the quake’s magnitude at 6.3.
* Associated Press
