Magnitude 6.3 earthquake leaves more than 700 injured in western Iran

More than 700 people were injured in a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit western Iran near its border with Iraq on Sunday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has reported.

According to Reuters, Houshang Bazvand, governor of the western province of Kermanshah, told state television that no fatalities have been reported.

Iran's state television stated that most of the injuries were minor and 37 people remained hospitalized on Monday.

Iraqi officials confirmed at least one fatality and more than 40 additional injuries from the quake in eastern parts of the country.

According to the USGS, the earthquake was at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles) and struck 114 km (70.8 miles) northwest of the city of Ilam in Iran's Kermanshah Province just after 8 p.m. in Iran.

(Image via USGS)

Authorities said six rescue teams were immediately deployed after the quake stopped.

Reports and posts on social media show the quake damaged buildings in various rural areas in SarPol-e zahab and Qasr-e-Shirin, causing walls of some homes to fall. Tremors could be felt as far away as Baghdad.

"Following stormy weather over the weekend, a period of dry and seasonable weather is expected through Thursday across the region," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Eric Leister.

"Another round of showers and thunderstorms are expected from Thursday night into Friday," added Leister.

This region was struck by a powerful earthquake last year that killed more than 600 people. Some communities were still not fully rebuilt from that event.

Social media users uploaded videos of furniture moving and chandeliers swinging.

Iran sits on a major fault line between the Arabian and Eurasian plates.