In 2003, some 26,000 people were killed by a magnitude 6.6 quake that flattened the historic southeastern Iranian city of Bam.

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit western Iran on Monday, the U.S. Geological survey which monitors quakes worldwide reported, according to Agence France-Presse.

The quake, with an epicenter at 36 kilometers southeast of the Iranian city of Abdanan whicl lies near the border with Iraq, struck at 02:32 GMT Monday, the USGS reported.

The quake epicenter was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS said.

There were no immediate reports of damages or casualties.

Iran stands on several seismic fault lines.

In April last year, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Iran and neighboring Pakistan, killing 40 people.

A massive quake in December 2003 struck the southern city of Bam, killing 26,000 people and destroying its ancient mud-built citadel.

 
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