Iraq-Iran border region

Strong quake hits Iraq-Iran border region

It struck 32km (20mi) south-west of the Iraqi town of Halabja, the USGS said.

Iranian state media said it was felt in several provinces, with eight villages damaged and electricity cut.

Kurdish TV also said many people in Iraqi Kurdistan fled their homes when it struck but there were no initial reports of casualties.

The earthquake struck just before 21:20 local time in Baghdad (18:20 GMT) at a depth of 33.9 km.