The Story:
At least 100 people are believed to be dead as a 7.3 magnitude earthquake near the city of Halabja, Iraq, near the Iraq-Iran border, struck the region on Sunday. A further 1,000 people have been injured.
Important Because:
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The seism registered 7.3 on the Richter scale, classifying it as a “major earthquake”.
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On average, only 20 such quakes are recorded every year across the globe.
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Deaths and injuries continue to be reported.
This Happened:
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At least 100 people in Iran and 6 in Iraq are reported dead by respective government authorities. The numbers continue to rise.
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Shockwaves from the Iraq earthquake were felt as far away as Pakistan, Kuwait, Turkey and Lebanon.
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The quake hit about 350 kilometers north of Baghdad, close to the Iranian border.
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Serious structural damage is being reported, and the Iraqi Meteorological Organization has warned people via Iraqi State TV not to go near buildings or use elevators.
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Officials in Iraq said that Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was closely following the situation of his citizens.
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