This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7608267.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Southern Iran hit by earthquake Earthquake strikes southern Iran
(30 minutes later)
An earthquake measuring 6.1 has struck southern Iran, the US Geological Service has said. Iranian rescue services are checking for damage and casualties after an earthquake measuring 6.1 struck near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas.
It hit at 0630 (1100 GMT), west-south-west of Bandar Abbas, home of a major oil refinery, about 55km (35 miles) below ground, the agency said. US quake monitors registered it 55km (35 miles) below ground at 0630 (1100 GMT), west of the city which is home to a big oil refinery.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Emergency services in the province of Hormuzgan were put on alert.
Iran has been struck by several severe quakes in recent years, the deadliest in 2003, when 25,000 people died in a 6.7 quake in the ancient city of Bam. The deadliest quake to hit Iran in recent years was in 2003, when 25,000 people died in a 6.7 quake in Bam.
Reuters news agency quoted Iranian state radio as saying the jolt from the quake sent people running into the streets in panic.
Iran straddles a major geological fault line, making it particularly prone to earth tremors.Iran straddles a major geological fault line, making it particularly prone to earth tremors.
"All our rescue groups are on alert in Bandar Abbas and [nearby] Qeshm Island," Yasser Hazbavi, the head of Hormuzgan's disaster headquarters, told Reuters news agency.
"We have sent groups to the area. There is the possibility of casualties and fatalities."