Earthquake shakes areas near Iranian capital

Tehran Dec 21 (IANS) An earthquake measuring 5.2 magnitude on the Richter scale shook Malard town in Iran s Tehran Province on Wednesday the Iran Seismological Center (ISC) said.

The epicentre of the earthquake about 50 kilometre east of Iranian capital Tehran was at the depth of seven kilometre 35.69 degree north latitude and 50.96 degrees east longitude Xinhua quoted the ISC as saying.

The quake was felt in the capital as well as Alborz Qazvin Ghilan and Qom provinces.

Power lines in some towns of Tehran province have been cut off and communication and internet systems have been disrupted.

Emergency teams have been dispatched to the quake-hit areas the report said. People in Tehran and suburban towns are on the streets in panic.

The report said Akhtar Abad village in suburban Tehran has sustained damage and one person was injured.

--IANS
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