Quake shakes Iran

A moderate earthquake jolted western Iran late Tuesday, causing panic but no casualties, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

The 5.3-magnitude quake hit Sanandaj, the capital of Iran’s western Kurdistan province, at 8.30pm (1700 Irish time), IRNA reported.

The agency said no casualties have been reported but the quake caused people to flee their homes and rush into streets.

A quake with a magnitude of 5 to 6 can cause moderate damage in populated areas.

Iran is prone to earthquakes. In June, a 6.1-magnitude quake struck north-western Iran, killing 245 people and leaving thousands homeless.