Huge toll in earthquake

MORE than 130 people have been killed in Iran and at least several others in Iraq when a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the region, as rescuers stepped up efforts to find dozens trapped under rubble.

At least 129 people were killed in Iran’s Kermanshah province on the Iraqi border, the provincial deputy governor told state television.

“There are still people under the rubble. We hope the number of dead and injured won’t rise too much, but it will rise,” Mojtaba Nikkerdar said.

More than 60 of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, 15km from the border. Kurdish health officials also said at least four people were killed in Iraq and 50 injured.

Fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the street.