An earthquake measuring 5.2 degrees on the open-ended Richter scale rattled regions along the border with Afghanistan in a northeastern province early Monday, reported the official Kuwaiti news agency (KUNA).
The quake, which occured at 4:47am (0117 GMT), rocked the Gazik border region located in southern part of Khorassan. The tremor did not cause any casualties, but it sparked panic among the residents and forced them to leave their homes and stay outside.
"They have braved the freezing cold in the streets and have declined to return to their homes," a local official said, adding that four vulnerable residential areas have been destroyed.
Iran is one of the most quake-prone countries in the world, with mild tremors an almost daily occurrence.
The area is now haven to thousands of Afghan refugees who fled the war scene in their country to face natural disasters, along with the possibilty of disease outbreaks and freezing weather – Albawaba.com
