At least three people were killed and 973 others injured after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Iran's Northwestern province of West Azerbaijan with shock waves felt in many cities, Report informs via FarsNews.
The 5.9-magnitude earthquake hit Iran’s northwestern city of Khoy and the vicinity on Saturday night.
The quake happened at 9:44 pm local time, and at a depth of 7 km, according to the Iranian Seismological Center in Tehran.
The tremor was so strong that it was felt in many regions of West Azerbaijan Province, causing concern among residents. It was also felt in several cities, including Tabriz, the provincial capital of the neighboring East Azerbaijan province.
According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological center, the quake was also felt in Turkiye, Iraq, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Some of the areas hit by the quake are currently experiencing freezing temperatures and snow.
Three people died and 973 were injured; all of the injured were taken to local hospitals.
The earthquake caused 20 to 50 percent damage to residential units in 70 villages, according to Governor General of the West Azerbaijan province.
Iran sits astride several major faults in the earth's crust, and is prone to frequent earthquakes, many of which have been devastating.
The worst in recent times hit Bam in Southeastern Kerman province in December 2003, killing 31,000 people – about a quarter of its population – and destroying the city's ancient mud-built citadel.