Earthquake hits Iran, no casualties reported

TEHRAN, Jan 19 (Reuters) An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale hit an area in southwest Iran today, state television reported, but did not report any casualties.

The brief headline on state television said the tremor hit an area around Ramhormoz in Khuzestan province at 3.56 pm 1756 hrs IST.

Iranian media had reported three smaller earthquakes in the same region measuring four or above earlier in the day.

Earthquakes often strike in Iran, which is crisscrossed with faultlines.

REUTERS PB RAI2135