TEHRAN, IRAN (NEWS1130) – Iran says the death toll has risen to at least 250, after two strong earthquake hammered the country’s mountainous northwest region.

More than 2,000 people are reported to be injured, with thousands more spending last night outdoors in chilly temperatures after their houses were either destroyed or heavily damaged.

The quakes struck near the city of Tabriz, but most of the casualties are believed to be in outlying villages.

The US Geological Service measured the quakes, which struck only eleven minutes apart, at magnitude 6.4 and 6.3.