A television grab shows Iranian men searching for earthquake survivors in a damaged village near the town of Zarand in the Kerman province, about 700 km southeast of Tehran Feb. 22. (Reuters)

A television grab shows an overall view of a damaged village near the town of Zarand in the Kerman province Feb. 22. A strong earthquake hit southeast Iran on Tuesday, killing almost 270 people, injuring hundreds and destroying villages. (Reuters)

A television grab shows Iranians in a damaged village near the town of Zarand in the Kerman province February 22. (Reuters)

A strong earthquake which hit southeastern Iran early Tuesday has killed at least 270 people and wounded more than 1,000.

   TEHRAN, Feb. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- At least 270 people were killed and about 950 wounded in a strong earthquake in southeastern Iran early Tuesday, state television reported.

   The quake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, hit the Zarand region of the southeastern province of Kerman in the wee hours of Tuesday, destroying several villages and affecting more than 40.

   Rescue teams, search dogs and psychotherapy doctors have been sent to the quake-hit region by helicopters, semi-official news agency Mehr quoted the Red Crescent Society as saying.

   The rainfall, wind and cold weather have slowed the course of relief works besides a heavy traffic on the road to the quake-stricken area, Mehr added.

   In order to help rescue operations, airports of Kerman province and its surrounding provinces have been put on alert.

   According to the seismological base of Tehran University's Geophysics Institute, the tremor occurred at 05:55 local time (0225 GMT) and the epicenter was located on the outskirts of Zarand, 30.79 degrees in latitude and 56.90 degrees in longitude.

   The quake also shook the neighboring cities of Yazd, Meybod and Behabad.

   The Zarand region is about 200 km northwest of Bam where nearly 26,200 people were killed in December 2003 by a quake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale.

   Iran is situated on some of the world's most active seismic fault lines and quakes of varying magnitudes are frequently witnessed. Enditem