The earthquake which struck the Iranian province of Kermanshah has killed over 328 people and injured 3,950 others, the Iranian Ministry of Interior has said.

The powerful 7.3 quake struck 31 kilometres outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, causing the destruction of a number of villages, and badly affected others. Up to 118 aftershocks of varying intensity were recorded.

Local residents in a number of Iranian cities, including the capital, Tehran, felt the tremors last night, but the most severe damage was reported in areas bordering Iraq.