Kermanshah

AFP - A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck western Iran near the border with Iraq early Sunday, killing two people and injuring more than 250, officials said.

The shallow quake hit 26 kilometres (16 miles) southwest of the city of Javanrud in Kermanshah province, the US Geological Survey said, near the site of a powerful quake last year that killed hundreds.

At least eight people were injured in a violent earthquake in Iran, say broadcasting agencies by referring to state television.

Authorities in Iran have announced the end of rescue operations in areas hit by the magnitude 7.3 earthquake on Sunday.

The number of victims exceeds 450 people and injured people are more than 7,000.

More than 12,000 houses have been destroyed, and some settlements are without water and electricity.