Iran hit by earthquake

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Iran’s southern provinces of Fars and Hormuzdan, state television reported last night.

The report did not say when the quake struck and also did not offer details of casualties.

The US Geological Survey said the 5.8 quake jolted Iran’s southern coast. It struck at 7.38pm GMT 160km south of Jahrom and 975km south-east of the capital Tehran, at a depth of 10km, it said.

The USGS did not report any damage or injuries from the quake.

Iran, including the capital Tehran, sits astride several major fault lines in the earth’s crust, and is prone to frequent quakes, many of which have been devastating.

The worst in recent times, of magnitude 6.3, hit the southern city of Bam in December 2003, killing 31,000 people — about a quarter of its population.