A powerful earthquake rocked Iran and Pakistan Tuesday afternoon, killing several people and leaving more than a dozen others injured. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck around 3:15 p.m. local time at a depth of 9 miles near the city of Saravan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Saravan is located about 26 miles from the Pakistani border.
Pakistani officials reported severe damages and at least 6 fatalities in Balochistan province. Provincial home minister Akbar Hussain Durrani said about 50 shops were destroyed in Washuk district. State-run Pakistan TV reportedly nearly 1,000 mud homes sustained damage and 47 people were injured.
Mixed reports about injures and damages emerged in Iran. Iran's state-run Press TV initially reported severe damages and 40 deaths, but the provincial governor of Sistan and Baluchistan province later said there were no deaths or serious damages. Five people were injured.
The earthquake comes a week after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck southern Iran. The epicenter was located about 60 miles southeast of Bushehr near Kaki. Thirty people died and 800 others were injured. The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was not damaged.
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