Israel Matzav

Another earthquake in Iran

Iranian state television reported at least 40 people were killed in the Islamic Republic, while Pakistani officials say at least five people, three women and two children, died in the southwest area of the country.

The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at 10:44 GMT at a depth of 15.2 km (9.4 miles). Tremors from the 7.8 magnitude quake were also felt in India and Gulf states.

People in the city of Zahedan poured into the streets when the earthquake struck, Iran's Fars news agency reported.

All communications in the area have been cut, the Iranian Red Crescent's Mahmoud Mozaffar told state television. Rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected area, he said.

"In the aftermath of this earthquake five evaluation teams from the Khash and Saravan branches were sent to the area to assess damage," Mozaffar said.

The epicenter was in southeast Iran in an area of mountains and desert, 201 km (125 miles) southeast of Zahedan and 250 km northwest of Turbat in Pakistan, USGS said.

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Most of Iran's nuclear-related facilities are located in central Iran or its west, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant on the Gulf coast. A US Institute for Science and International Security map did not show any nuclear-linked facilities in southeastern Iran close to Pakistan.

Labels: earthquake, Iran, Pakistan

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:18 PM