by Jubin Katiraie
An earthquake, 7.3 magnitude near the Iraq-Iran border has killed more than 400 people and sent residents escaping their homes into the night, authorities said.
Iran’s western province bore the impact of the quake on Sunday night, with authorities saying the quake killed more than 407 people in the country and injured 6,700 up to know.
The quake was centred 19 miles (31km) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the US Geological Survey.
Graphic locates epicentre of 7.3-magnitude earthquake on the border of Iran and Iraq
It struck at 9.48pm Iran time, just as people began retiring for the night.
It could be felt on the Mediterranean coast, some 660 miles (1,000km) away.
The earthquake struck 23.2km (14.4 miles) below the surface, a shallow depth that can amplify damage.
Iranian social media and news agencies showed images and videos of people fleeing their homes. More than 100 aftershocks followed.
The quake’s worst damage appeared to be in the town of Sarpol-e-Zahab in Kermanshah province, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq.
Kokab Fard, a 49-year-old housewife in Sarpol-e-Zahab, said she fled empty-handed when her apartment complex collapsed.
“Immediately after I managed to get out, the building collapsed,” she said. “I have no access to my belongings.”
Kokab Fard, a 49-year-old housewife in Sarpol-e-Zahab, said she fled empty-handed when her apartment complex collapsed.
“Immediately after I managed to get out, the building collapsed,” she said. “I have no access to my belongings.”
Sarpol-e-Zahab residents said the power and water were out and telephone and mobile phone lines were spotty.
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