At least 402 people have been killed in a devastating 7,3 magnitude earthquake that struck the border region between Iraq and Iran late Sunday night.
The epicenter was reported below the Iraqi-Iranian border, at a depth of 23 kilometers (just over 14 miles), according to the US Geological Survey. At least 145 aftershocks were reported in Pakistan, Lebanon and Kuwait. and Turkey.
The Iraqi Meteorological Agency has issued a warning about Iraqi state television urging citizens to stay away from buildings and refrain from using elevators.
The death toll is rising, according to local media, with the number of injured reaching 6,650.
This is one of the deadliest earthquakes ever.
About 100 people are believed to be from a town in Iran's Kermanshah province, the country's semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Monday that he "instructed the civil defense and health and relief services to do all they can to provide assistance" to those affected by the quake.
In Iran, meanwhile, the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, sent a message of condolence and called on military and political aid to "stand up" to the quake victims.
