Quake Hits Southern Iran; At least Seven People Injured

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake hit southern Iran on October 20, injuring at least seven people, local media reported.

Minor material damage was reported in the quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kilometers near the city of Khan Zenyan, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Farhad Saadi, the director-general of Crisis Management in Fars province, said that officials and assessment teams from the Red Crescent were dispatched to the area. 

According to initial assessment, the earthquake caused cracks in the walls and roofs of residential buildings, Saadi said. 

Iran suffered several devastating earthquakes in recent years as it sits on major geological fault lines.

In January, a powerful quake struck the northwestern city of Khoy and surrounding villages, killing several people, injuring more than 1,000 and forcing many local residents to seek shelter from freezing winter conditions.