IRNA � Interior Minister ordered the Organization of Crisis Management to swiftly provide relief aid to those affected in the quake-areas in western Iran.


In a letter of the head of the organization Najjar, he said that given the occurrence of a sorrowful quake in western Iran, all the forces and relief providers are ordered to be on standby and be dispatched to quake-stricken areas if necessary.

Neighboring provinces are also urged to mobilize all their equipment and capabilities to be sent to the areas in need of help.

Saving lives of the countrymen and housing the people in safer areas will remain top priorities.

The earthquake struck near Sar Pol-e Zahab in Iran's Kermanshah province, where another quake, with a magnitude of 7.3, killed over 600 people last year.

Iran is located on major seismic faults and experiences an earthquake a day on average, according to The Associated Press news agency.

In 2003, a magnitude-6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam in southern Iran, killing 26,000 people.