Two people were killed and at least 241 others have been injured when a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Kermanshah province in western Iran, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Tazehabad and about 27 kilometers from the city of Javanroud, and it struck at 2:43 a.m. local time, when most people were sleep.

5.9-magnitude earthquake rocks Iran's western Kermanshah province

 

Both cities are close to the Iran-Iraq border. The earthquake struck at a depth of some 10 kilometers, and it was felt in all the towns and cities of Kermanshah province and other western provinces, including the cities of Marivan, Mahabad, Sanandaj, Boukan, Saghez , and the city of Kermanshah itself.

Iran's Emergency and Natural Disaster Agency told  Press TV that five rescue teams have been sent to the area.

Those injured,  were rushed to  hospitals throughout western Iran .

Residents of Baghdad, in neighboring Iraq, also said they felt the city shake. Baghdad is located about 342 kilometers, from the Iran border.

"Oh my gosh. My furniture moved across the floor," one resident said. "I had to call and check all my relatives were OK."

"Literally, the bed was shaking," another said.

More than 400 people were killed when a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the Iran-Iraq border in November 2017.

Some scientists believe that last night's earthquake was "an aftershock" of that massive earthquake last November.

More updates will follow.

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5.9-magnitude earthquake rocks Iran
5.9-magnitude earthquake rocks Iran