A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Iran on the morning of November 8, killing at least 4 people and injuring 70.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake occurred at about 2:17 pm on November 8 (7:47 am Hanoi time) with a magnitude of 5.9 degrees near the town of Hastrud, Eastern Azerbaijan province of Iran. USGS also warned "there could be significant casualties and potentially widespread disaster".

Iranian state television confirmed at least 4 people were killed and 20 injured. The aftershocks of the earthquake were relatively strong and frightened many people. Earthquake Europe - Mediterranean Center (EMSC) said about 20 million people can feel the earthquake.

Photos and videos on social media show a collapsed house in Mianeh in eastern Azerbaijan province, near the epicenter of the earthquake. People also set up tents outside their homes or take shelter in cars.

The East Azerbaijan Province Crisis Management Service has deployed eight rescue teams to the earthquake-affected areas to assist the victims.

Location of East Azerbaijan province on Iran map. Graphics: Wikiwand.

Iran is located between two large geological tectonic plates, so it often witness seismic activity. The country has been hit by major earthquakes in recent decades.

In 2003, a catastrophic earthquake in the ancient city of Bam killed at least 31,000 people. In 1990, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in the north of the country left 40,000 dead, 300,000 injured, hundreds of thousands homeless.