(Reuters) - Power and communications systems were down in most of the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchistan following a major 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, Iranian state television reported.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at 1044 GMT at a depth of 15.2 km (9.4 miles). The epicentre was in southeastIranin an area of mountains and desert.