Several earthquakes rock central, eastern Iraq

BAGHDAD, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Several earthquakes measuring over 5 magnitude Thursday hit border areas inside neighboring Iran and were felt in eastern and central Iraq, geological website and Iraqi official television reported.

The first earthquake of 5.5 magnitude hit area at about 10:00 a.m. (0700 GMT), located some 18 km east of the Iraqi town of Mandly on the border with Iran, at depth of 10 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Another one was 5.2 magnitude at about 10:14 a.m. (0714 GMT), with 10 km depth, close to the first near Mandly, the USGS said.

Several other earthquakes hit eastern Iran, according to USGS, and were also felt in Iraq's eastern and central provinces.

The Iraqi state-run Iraqiya channel confirmed the earthquakes that were felt in the provinces of Baghdad, Diyala, Wasit and Salahudin, and that no casualties were reported.

On November 12, a huge earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude hit Darbnandi-Khan area in Iraq's northern province of Sulaimaniyah, and left eight people killed and hundreds others injured. Enditem