Quake death toll rises to 350 in western Iran
The 7.3-magnitude earthquake in Kermanshah Province, western Iran has so far claimed the lives of 350 people and injured 2700 ones, deputy health minister said.
'The death toll and casualties are increasing,' Qasem Jan Babaie told.
The quake occurred on Sunday at 21:5 local time (17:35 GMT) and its epicenter was registered at 34.86 degrees latitude and 45.81 degrees longitude, 11km deep in the ground in Ozgoleh region in Kermanshah Province.
The earthquake rocked western provinces of Iran and vast areas in the east of Iraq. The city of Kermanshah has the most injured and dead people.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a phone conversation with Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli has issued required instructions.
Meanwhile, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a message expressed condolences over the sad occasion in which scores of people lost their lives.
Supreme Leader also urged all military and civil forces to spare no effort in giving aid to quake-stricken people.
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