At least four people died in Iraq and several were killed across the border in Iran on Sunday when a strong earthquake hit the region, officials and state media in the two countries said.
The US Geological Survey said the quake measured a magnitude of 7.3, while an Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicenter in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region close to the main border crossing with Iran.
Kurdish health officials said as well as at least four people being killed there were 50 injured.
Across the border in Iran, state TV said several people were killed and many others injured when at least eight border villages were damaged. Electricity had been cut in the area and rescue teams had been dispatched to the area.
On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75 kms (47 miles) east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. More than 30 people were injured in the town, according to the Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed.
"The situation there is very critical," Rasheed told Reuters.
The district's main hospital was severely damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were being taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. There was extensive structural damage to buildings and homes.
There were reports of injuries in a stretch of cities, towns and rural villages near the Iranian border, including Halabja, Khanaqin and Panjwin.
Residents were keeping away from their homes and sleeping on the streets, several hours after the quake hit.
In Halabja, local officials said that a 12-year-old boy died from an electric shock when an electric cable fell during the earthquake.
Iraq's interior minister ordered civil defense and fire fighting crews to be on high alert after the quake.
In Iran, the earthquake was felt in the capital Tehran. Media gave contradictory casualty figures. Semi-official Fars news agency and state news agency IRNA said at least six people had been killed and many others injured in the border town of Qasr-e Shirin.
But the governor of Qasr-e Shirin, Faramarz Akbari, said only two people had died in the town and 25 others were injured.
"The quake was felt in several Iranian provinces bordering Iraq ... Eight villages were damaged ... Electricity has been cut in some villages and rescue teams have been dispatched to those areas," TV reported.
Semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted an emergency services official as saying there were fears that casualties in villages and small towns could be high.
People were staying out on the streets in towns in the western Kermanshah province because of the threat from aftershocks, a local Red Crescent official told TV.
'DANCING IN THE AIR'
Many residents in the Iraqi capital Baghdad rushed out of houses and tall buildings in panic.
"I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air," said Majida Ameer, who ran out of her building in the capital's Salihiya district with her three children. "I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming 'Earthquake!'"
There were similar scenes in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quake's epicenter.
Iraq's meteorology center advised people to stay away from buildings and not to use elevators, in case of aftershocks.
Residents of Turkey's southeastern city of Diyarbakir also reported feeling a strong tremor, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in the city.
Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake, and that Turkey’s national disaster management agency AFAD and National Medical Rescue Teams (UMKE) were also preparing to head into Iraq. AFAD’s chairman said the organization was waiting for a reply to its offer for help.
In a tweet, Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.
"We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot," he said.
Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel too.
Reuters
Mon Nov 13 2017

At least four people died in Iraq and several were killed across the border in Iran on Sunday when a strong earthquake hit the region. -Filepix

At least 137 Gazans killed in Israeli attacks since ceasefire
According to the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor , Israel has been killing an average of seven Palestinians every two days.

Malaysia strengthens semiconductor supply chain with ASEAN member countries - Liew
Malaysia does not intend to compete with neighbouring countries or other ASEAN member states in its efforts to strengthen supply chains.

Six men arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil in Semenyih
Six men, including five foreigners in their 30s, were arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil.

Hamas says new round of Gaza ceasefire talks has begun
expressing optimism that the talks could lead to "tangible progress"

Ukraine says ready to accept 30-day ceasefire with Russia
Ukraine conveyed its readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as delegations from Kyiv and Washington met in Saudi Arabia.

Musk's SpaceX agrees Starlink cooperation with Airtel in India
Tech billionaire Elon Musk plans to enter the Indian internet market with his Starlink satellite system, reported German news agency dpa.

Trump announces higher steel and aluminium tariffs for Canada
US President Donald Trump plans to impose additional high tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada.
![[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress [COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-03/81741686561_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress
Promoting Malay language doesn't mean disparaging or undermining other languages, we can uplift it without diminishing others.

What is driving the bloodshed in Syria?
The violence has pitted the Islamist-led government's security forces against fighters from Assad's Alawite minority.

Only seven countries met WHO air quality standards in 2024, data shows
Only Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia and Iceland made the grade, according to IQAir.

Gaza hunger crisis could return if Israeli blockade continues, UN relief agency chief says
UNRWA warns the situation in Gaza is quickly deteriorating.

What happened in Philippine drug war that led to Duterte's arrest?
Here are some facts about the drug war during Duterte's presidency from 2016 to 2022.

Soccer - Manchester United plans to build 'world's greatest stadium'
Manchester United plans to build a new 100,000-seat stadium next to the existing Old Trafford, the club announces.

Meta begins testing its first in-house AI training chip
Meta is working with Taiwan-based chip manufacturer TSMC to produce the chip, according to sources.

Russia says it wants united and 'friendly' Syria
Russia has two strategically important military bases in Syria, which it is hoping to retain in the wake of Assad's fall.

Musk says juggling DOGE and CEO jobs is difficult, as Tesla shares slump
Elon Musk says he is running his businesses "with great difficulty" while working with the Trump administration.

Philippine ex-leader Duterte long defiant on deadly drug war
Before becoming president, Rodrigo Duterte earned the nicknames "The Punisher" and "Duterte Harry" for his violent anti-drug crackdown.

Ismail Sabri probe: 36 witnesses finish giving statements to MACC, 23 others to be summoned
A MACC source said 23 other witnesses have also been identified and would be summoned to give their statements soon.

Westin Hotels marks World Sleep Day with wellness-focused offerings
With a growing demand for sleep tourism and wellness travel, Westin aims to solidify its position as a leader in holistic hospitality.

Govt wants local experts to help improve national cyber security - PM's press secretary
Tunku Nashrul Abaidah says the government has high confidence in local expertise to face cybersecurity challenges.