Quake Shakes Northwest Iran,no Reports of Damage

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook northwestern Iran on Wednesday, but there were no early reports of damage or casualties.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook northwestern Iran on Wednesday, but there were no early reports of damage or casualties, the official IRNA news agency said.

The quake struck an area near Namin, a town of 50,000 people 30 km (20 miles) east of the city of Ardebil, but IRNA said it was also strongly felt in other towns.

Natural disaster experts say Iran is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world because it is criss-crossed by several major faultlines.