5.1-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Area Near Tehran

A 5.1-magnitude quake has struck the city of Damavand near the Iranian capital of Tehran at a depth of 7 kilometres.

The quake jolted Ab-e Sard region, some 58 kilometres east of Tehran at 00:48 am, Friday.

The emergency organization says it has sent five teams to the quake-hit regions to assess the damages.

All gyms and stadiums in Tehran have been opened to the public for those seeking to spend the night out, says the sports ministry.

The earthquake has been felt at Tehran, Qom, Mazandaran and Qazvin provinces.

The epicentre of the quake was a village called Vadan, an Iranian official says.

Iran‘s crisis management chief says the aftershocks will most likely be less than 5.1-magnitude.

All gyms and stadiums in Tehran have been opened to the public for those seeking to spend the night out, says the sports ministry.

A 60-year-old man has died of head trauma when rushing out of home during the quake in Damavand. Six others have also been wounded.

The earthquake has had eight aftershocks so far, according to state TV.