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Major earthquake strikes south-east Iran | Major earthquake strikes south-east Iran |
(35 minutes later) | |
Iran has been struck by its most powerful earthquake for nearly 40 years, with tremors felt across Pakistan, India and the Middle East. | Iran has been struck by its most powerful earthquake for nearly 40 years, with tremors felt across Pakistan, India and the Middle East. |
The epicentre of the 7.8 magnitude quake was near the south-east city of Khash, close to the Pakistani border, the US Geological Survey said. | |
Offices were evacuated in Abu Dhabi and tall buildings swayed in the Indian capital Delhi, witnesses said. | Offices were evacuated in Abu Dhabi and tall buildings swayed in the Indian capital Delhi, witnesses said. |
Iranian state TV has reported at least 40 people killed. | Iranian state TV has reported at least 40 people killed. |
However, one official was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying he feared hundreds had died. | However, one official was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying he feared hundreds had died. |
At least five people died in Pakistan, near the border with Iran, hospital and local government officials said. | |
The earthquake struck in the province of Sistan Baluchistan at about 15:14 local time (10:44 GMT), close to the cities of Khash, with a population of nearly 180,000, and Saravan, with 250,000. | |
Iran's Fars news agency was reporting that Saravan had suffered no serious damage. | Iran's Fars news agency was reporting that Saravan had suffered no serious damage. |
All communications to the region have been cut. The Iranian Red Crescent said it was sending 20 search-and-rescue teams with three helicopters to the area. | |
The earthquake has been felt across the region. A BBC correspondent in Abu Dhabi said she was evacuated from her office. | |
Michael Stephens, a researcher at RUSI Qatar, told the BBC from his office in Doha: "I definitely felt the walls shaking. It lasted for about 25 seconds." | |
Mohammad Wazir, a correspondent for BBC Persian in Pakistan, says the quake was felt in the cities of Karachi and Quetta. | Mohammad Wazir, a correspondent for BBC Persian in Pakistan, says the quake was felt in the cities of Karachi and Quetta. |
It comes after a 6.3-magnitude quake in south-west Iran killed at least 37 people and wounded 850 on 10 April. | |
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