Quake in Iran felt in Dubai and Bahrain

Iran's state television claims at least 40 people have been killed after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the country's border with Pakistan.

The quake has been described as the strongest to hit Iran in more than half a century.

It flattened homes and offices there but is said to have caused buildings to sway as far away as New Delhi, Dubai and Bahrain.

The earthquake has struck less than a week after another one in Iran killed at least 37 people.

There were no initial reports of injuries.

It was at a depth of nine miles.

Across the Gulf, high-rise buildings swayed and officials ordered evacuations. Dubai has the world’s tallest tower, the 2,717 -foot Burj Khalifa.

Last week, a deadly 6.1 magnitude quake struck about 60 miles south-east of Bushehr, the site of Iran’s reactor.