Over 150 people have been killed in Iran and at least several others in Iraq when a powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit the region, state media said, as rescuers stepped up efforts overnight to find dozens trapped under rubbles.
“There are still people under the rubbles. We hope the number of dead and injured won’t rise too much, but it will rise,” Mojtaba Nikkerdar said.
More than 60 of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 km (10 miles) from the border.
Kurdish health officials also said at least four people were killed in Iraq and there were 50 injured.
The US Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3, while an Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region close to the main border crossing with Iran.
