Southern Iran hit by strong quake

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 has hit a sparsely populated area of south-eastern Iran.

Local officials say that more than 1,000 homes were damaged, some seriously, but there are no reports of any deaths or injuries.

Reports say the quake struck near the town of Arzuieh in Kerman province, about 750 kilometres (480 miles) south-east of the capital Tehran.

Iran sits astride several major fault lines and is prone to earthquakes.