Tehran, Jan 7 (IANS) At least 75 people have been injured in a 5.9-magnitude earthquake that shook Gilangharb city in Iran's Kermanshah province, Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of Iran Emergency Organisation, said.

According to Iran's Seismological Centre, the epicentre of the earthquake that hit the country's western part on Sunday, was monitored at 34.16 degrees north latitude and 45.66 degrees east longitude with a depth of 10 km, Xinhua reported.

At least 15 aftershocks, ranging from 3 to 4.8 magnitude, have shaken the region so far, according to the centre.

Most of the injured people were hurt while escaping to the outdoors in panic, a medical official told Tasnim news agency.

Assessment teams of Iran's Red Crescent Society have been dispatched to the site of earthquake, Kourosh Mahmoudian, the Governor of Gilangharb, told Tasnim.

Some residential buildings and cattle farms were damaged and rock fall blocked the roads in the area, Mahmoudian said.

The quake also affected the quality of drinking water in Gilangharb, he said, assuring that the local people will be provided sufficient high-quality drinking water.

The elementary schools and high schools will be closed in Gilangharb city on Monday, a media outlet reported.


--IANS pgh/