Magnitude 6.1 quake strikes near Mashhad in northeastern Iran

LONDON: A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck near the holy city of Mashhad in Iran's northeast on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) and Iranian media said.

USGS said the quake occurred 76 km east-southeast of the city and at a depth of 33 km.

Iranian state television said the quake happened at 10:40 a.m. local time (0610 GMT) and had shaken Mashhad and cities around it.

Tasnim news agency reported that phone lines in parts of affected areas were disrupted.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.