Damaged buildings after the earthquake

BBC

Two strong earthquakes have struck north-western Iran, leaving at least 40 people dead and hundreds more injured, officials say.

The quakes struck near the city of Tabriz and the town of Ahar, but most of the casualties are thought to be in outlying villages, reports the BBC.

Reports say phone lines to many villages have been cut off, making rescue efforts harder.

The US Geological Service measured the quakes at magnitude 6.4 and 6.3.

"The quake has created huge panic among the people," one resident of Tabriz told the BBC. "Everyone has rushed to the streets and the sirens of ambulances are everywhere."