Magnitude 7.3 Earthquake On Iran-Iraq Border Kills At Least 200
TEHRAN, Iran (CBS/AP) -- Iranian state TV is reporting that 200 people were killed and 1,686 injured in the Sunday night earthquake along Iran-Iraq border.
Monday's report says that rescuers are trying to help those affected.
The 7.3-magnitude quake was centered 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Iraq's prime minister sought to reassure Iraqi civilians of their safety following an earthquake the previous night on Iraq's northeastern border with Iran.
Haider al-Abadi says he is following the matter and issuing a directive for the country's civil defense teams and "related institutions" to respond to the natural disaster. That's according to a statement released by his office late Sunday night.
The quake could be felt across Iraq, shaking buildings and homes from Irbil to Baghdad and as far west as Anbar province.
Al-Abadi adds in his written statement: "God save Iraq and the Iraqi people."
No reports were immediately available from Iraq's government.
Koulivand earlier told a local television station that the earthquake knocked out electricity in Iran's western cities of Mehran and Ilam. He also said 35 rescue teams were providing assistance.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a phone call with the Interior Ministry emphasized the need for maximum effort from officials.
Iranian social media was abuzz Sunday night with posts of people evacuating their homes, particularly in Kermanshah and Ghasr-e Shirin.
The semi-official Iranian ILNA news agency said at least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected by the earthquake.
Officials announced that schools in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces would be closed Monday because of the tremor.
Iran sits on many major fault lines and is prone to near-daily quakes. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people.
COMPLETE QUAKE COVERAGE: CBS Earthquake Resource Center
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