Iran (IP) - At least two people have been killed and 440 others injured after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Iran's northwestern province of West Azerbaijan with shock waves felt in many cities, emergency officials and local media said.

Iran PressIran News:The quake on Saturday was reported at around 9.44 pm [local time] at a shallow depth of 7 kilometres, with its epicentre near the city of Khoy.

The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.9 and was at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), EMSC said.

"The amount of destruction of some houses and buildings in the city of Khoy city is relatively high," Iranian emergency services spokesperson Mojtaba Khaledi said.

According to local officials and media reports, the high-intensity quake was felt in multiple cities, including the provincial capital and largest city Urmia, with multiple aftershocks.

Iranian emergency officials said rescue teams were despatched to the area and hospitals were put on alert. 219