At least three people were killed and more than 800 injured in the 5.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northwest Iran. According to the state broadcaster IRIB, about 60 people who were seriously injured underwent emergency surgery at nearby hospitals, and nearly all escaped danger, according to the local health authority. The epicenter of the earthquake was in Khoy city in West Azerbaijan province, Iranian media reported on Sunday night.

Accordingly, numerous buildings were damaged in Choi and dozens of other towns in the border region with Turkey. According to local officials, the area was rocked by twelve aftershocks on Sunday night.

According to the Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers on Saturday evening at around 21:44 (local time).

The Iranian government immediately sent Red Crescent rescuers to the affected areas. Fearing more aftershocks, more than 70,000 families had to spend the night outside despite the freezing cold.

Just a week ago, there was an earthquake in the area on Wednesday. At least 120 people were injured and hundreds of buildings were damaged.