Major earthquake strikes south-east Iran

 

 

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.
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.
The earthquake struck in the province of Sistan Baluchistan at about 15:14 (1044 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.
All communications to the region have been cut and assessment teams - along with rescue teams from neighbouring provinces - are being sent to the stricken area, correspondents say.
The quake has been felt across the region. A BBC correspondent in Abu Dhabi said she had to be evacuated from her offices.
Michael Stephens, a researcher at RUSI Qatar, told the BBC from his offices in Doha: "I definitely felt the walls shaking. It lasted for about 25 seconds." He said his friends had been evacuated "as a precautionary measure".
Mohammad Wazir, a correspondent for BBC Persian in Pakistan, says the quake was felt in the cities of Karachi and Quetta.
It comes days after a 6.3-magnitude quake struck south-west Iran, near its nuclear power station.
At least 37 people were killed and 850 wounded in the earthquake that struck near Bushehr on 10 April.

SOURCE : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22168202