Strong quake kills 50, injures 800 in western Iran

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Published: MARCH 31, 2006 07:27
A strong earthquake followed by several aftershocks jolted western Iran early Friday, killing at least 50 and injuring approximately 800, state media reported. The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.0 and struck Boroujerd and Doroud, two industrial cities in western Iran, at 1:05 a.m. local time Friday (Thursday 21:35 GMT), the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported. The epicenter was in the mountainous villages south of Boroujerd and north of Doroud. Provincial official Ali Barani said that several villages hardest hit were flattened by the quake.