At Least 38 People Killed as Quakes Rock Western Iran

TEHRAN —  Two strong earthquakes flattened villages in western Iran early today, killing at least 38 people and injuring hundreds, state television reported.

At least 10 tremors rocked the mountainous region through the night. State television said the first one had a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 and struck about 1 a.m.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 5.7 magnitude quake shortly before 5 a.m., followed by a 4.7 magnitude aftershock about 15 minutes later.

The quakes were centered near Borujerd and Doroud, two industrial cities about 200 miles southwest of Tehran, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Provincial official Ali Barani said several villages were flattened.

State television said 38 bodies had been pulled out of destroyed houses in Silakhor, a region north of Doroud.

The broadcast said more than 700 people had been injured.

“We are afraid to get back home. I spent the night with my family and guests in open space last night,” Mahmoud Chaharmiri said by telephone from Doroud. He said there was no massive destruction such as that after previous quakes in Iran.