TEHRAN, Iran - Iran`s state news agency says an earthquake has injured at least 700 people in the country`s south.

IRNA reported Wednesday that 100 of the injured had been hospitalized while the rest were minor cases.

The 4.9-magnitude quake struck the southern port city of Bandar Abbas at 2:56 a.m. local time, cutting power and telephone lines and sending residents streaming into the streets.

The broadcast said there were reports that the earthquake hit 85 miles south of the capital. Bandar Abbas is one of Iran`s key ports and home to a large oil refinery that primarily serves the domestic market.

Iran is located on seismic fault lines and is prone to earthquakes.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

---

What do you think of this story?
Click here for comments or suggestions.