Tehran, 14 November (BelTA - IRNA) - Latest reports on the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Kermanshah Province, western Iran, on Sunday night, said that it has so far claimed at least 430 lives and injured over 7,156 others.
The fatal quake occurred at 21:48 hour local time (18:18 GMT).
The epicenter of the quake was registered at 34.86 degrees latitude and 45.9 degrees longitude, at the depth of 11km, a shallow depth that can cause tremendous damage, in Ezgeleh region in Kermanshah Province.
The huge jolt, which rocked western provinces of Iran and areas in the eastern Iraq, was also felt as far as Persian Gulf states Qatar and Kuwait in the south, the Occupied Palestine in the west, and Turkey in the north of the quake-stricken Iran and Iraq.
Dozens of rescue teams and relief forces rushed to the area immediately after the incident, and battled to find survivors trapped under rubbles; however, due to the dark and mountainous region, the rescue operation faced some difficulties, but it was accelerated in the morning.
Some relief camps were also set up in Kermanshah and neighboring provinces to accommodate the affected people.
Civil utilities, such as electricity and water, were cut off in the Iranian quake-stricken areas and the fear of aftershocks kept thousands of people on the streets and in the parks in cold weather. More than 100 aftershocks were recorded in the area.
Iranian interior minister said some roads were blocked and there was concern about casualties in remote villages.
Officials announced that, because of the quake, schools in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces were closed on Monday.
