Iran Quakes Damage 150 Houses

TEHRAN (Reuters) -- Two earthquakes which struck in the same area of southwestern Iran overnight damaged about 150 houses, an official said on today.

The quakes of magnitude 4.9 and 4.1 respectively occurred near the town of Andimeshk in Khuzestan Province, the official IRNA news agency reported.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported a 5.0 magnitude quake in the area shortly before midnight (2030 GMT) local time.

The two quakes damaged 150 urban and rural residential units, said Shahpour Rostami, a senior provincial official.

Southwestern Iran is home to many oil fields, but there were no reports of any damage to facilities.

The world's fifth-largest oil exporter is crisscrossed by faultlines and often experiences earthquakes.