Xinhua News Agency, Tehran, February 23 (Reporter Chen Lin) A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the western part of Iran's northwestern Azerbaijan province on the evening of the 23rd. There have been no reports of casualties and property damage.
The Earthquake Center of the Institute of Geophysics at the University of Tehran determined that the earthquake occurred at about 19:30 local time (00:00 on the 24th Beijing time) with a magnitude of 5.7 and the epicenter was located in the Gotur region of Western Azerbaijan Province. 25 kilometers from Yi city, with a depth of 12 kilometers.
According to Iranian media reports, the power grid and communications in the affected area have been interrupted. Although rescue teams have been dispatched, the rescue work is very difficult due to the earthquake in the mountains.
Earlier, at 9.24 am local time on the 23rd, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred in Gotour. Gawary, director of the Howe Medical Emergency Center, said at least 75 people were injured in the quake.
Western Azerbaijan Province borders Turkey. Turkish Minister of Health Koca said that a magnitude 5.9 earthquake in the morning in Iran's West Azerbaijan province caused at least 9 deaths and 50 injuries in eastern Turkey. (Participating reporter: Zheng Siyuan)