AKIPRESS.COM - More than 320 people have been killed and over 5,300 injured in Iran and Iraq after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit the border region between the two countries, sending tremors that were felt hundreds of miles away in both capitals, Tehran and Baghdad, The Guardian reported.

At least 328 people have died in Iran, according to a toll published on Monday morning by the semi-official Isna news agency, citing medical officials. The powerful quake struck the country’s western provinces at 9.20pm local time on Sunday.

More people have died in Sarpol-e Zahab, a city in Iran’s western Kurdistan province, than any other place affected by the earthquake. At least 236 have died there.

Officials in Iraq reported that at least six people had died and 50 injured.

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3, while an Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region close to the main border crossing with Iran. It struck 23.2km below the surface, a shallow depth that can have broader damage.