Strong Earthquake Rattles Iran, Three Reported Dead

At least three people are reported dead after a strong earthquake shook south central Iran Tuesday.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake as magnitude 6.3 and a depth of 10km, while the Iranian Seismological Center reported magnitude 6.1, depth 12km, according to the Tehran Times. 

The 6.3-magnitude quake hit Kaki City, which is 90km southeast of the port city Bandar Bushehr, where there is a nuclear facility.

At least one powerful aftershock has been felt and there is a reported fear of landslides.

According to Earthquake-Report.com the Bushehr nuclear facility is functioning normally.

The most damage is expected in the cities of Kaki and Khormoj. Destroyed homes have been reported in Kaki city, population 10,000.   

Emergency response operations included two helicopters and a 20-person rescue crew.

The quake was felt across the Persian Gulf between Kuwait and Dubai, where people posting on Earthquake-Report said they felt the earth sway and buildings shake for about half a minute.

Because it is cross by several major fault lines, Iran is among the world's most seismically active countries. In the past decade more than 31,000 people have died from earthquakes of similar magnitude in Iran.

CNN reported some buildings in Abu Dhabi were evacuated.