7.8M earthquake hits Iran and Pakistan border
Emergency aid is on standby as damage and need in the area is assessed.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck in Iran, near the border of Pakistan, is the largest in the country for 40 years.
It hit at 10.44am GMT (15.14 local time) on Tuesday 16th April 2013 at a depth of 15.2 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey.
High rise buildings and sky scrapers across the Middle East swayed and tremors were felt as far away as New Delhi, Dubai and Bahrain.
No official information has been released about casualties in Iran, however an un-named government official said he expected hundreds of fatalities.
Some reports coming from Pakistan say more than 20 people have been killed.
A Pakistan state official said that up to 40 shops have been destroyed and several hundred houses near the Pakistan-Iran border are reported to have collapsed, raising fears of casualties.
World Vision UK’s Senior Emergency Officer, David Bell, said:
“We are working to determine the level of need and whether help is required.
“We have warehouses in the region with supplies including hygiene kits, water supplies and plastic sheeting.
“As always our priority is to ensure we are able to get help to the people who need it most.”
Last week there was a deadly 6.1 magnitude quake about 96 kilometres southeast of Bushehr, the site of Iran’s nuclear reactor.