20000323

Earthquake strikes northwest Iran

TEHRAN, March 22 (Reuters) - An earthquake measuring five on the Richter scale struck northwestern Iran, spreading panic among residents of several towns, the official news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday.

It said there were no reports yet on possible casualties or damage from the quake, which struck the northern part of the northwestern province of Ardebil on Tuesday night.

Iran lies on a seismic line and is often hit by earthquakes. A quake measuring four or five on the Richter scale is powerful enough to cause heavy damage in a populated area.-Reuters