DHAKA: More than 135 people were killed and at least 1000 people were injured in Iran following a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake has rattled the northern border region between Iran and Iraq.

The strong earthquake in the Iraqi city of Halabja, close to the Iraq-Iran border, was felt on Sunday night (November 12), according to the reports of BBC, CNN and other media.

State-run Press TV of Iran, citing the deputy governor of Kermanshah province Mojtaba Nikkerdar, reported that at least 135 people have died in western Iran's Kermanshah province. The death toll is likely to rise.

Citing the head of Iran's emergency services, Iran's semi-official news agency Fars News said at least 1,000 people were injured in the quake.

The earthquake sparked panic, with residents fleeing their homes for the streets.

Mosques in the Iraqi capital Baghdad have been saying prayers through loudspeakers.

Many of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15km (10 miles) from the border, Iran's emergency services chief, Pir Hossein Koolivand, said, according to Iranian state television channel IRINN.

Damage was reported in at least eight villages, the head of Iran's Red Crescent Organisation, Morteza Salim, told the channel.

"Some other villages have suffered power cuts and their telecommunications system has also been disturbed," he said.

Rescue teams were being hampered by landslides, Mr Koolivand said.

The quake hit 19 miles (30km) southwest of Halabja, near the northeastern border with Iran, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The occurred at a depth of 33.9 km (21 miles), and tremors were felt in Turkey, Israel and Kuwait. Shocks were also felt in Pakistan and Lebanon.

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was closely following the situation of the country's citizens, a statement from his office said.

BDST: 0910 HRS, NOV 13, 2017
EHJ