Tasnim � An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale struck a region in Iran�s western province of Ilam on Wednesday morning, injuring at least 17 people.

The temblor happened at 9:12 am local time near the town of Abdanan.

The earthquake was more strongly felt in the Sarabbagh county.

Governor of Abdanan said 17 residents have been injured in the quake, one of whom has undergone surgery.

He said the earthquake has caused minor damages to many dwelling houses and offices.

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major fault lines that cover at least 90% of the country. As a result, earthquakes in Iran occur often and are destructive.

On November 12, 2017, the western province of Kermanshah was hit by a major 7.3-magnitude quake that killed 620 people and injured more than 9,000 others.

The deadliest quake in Iran's modern history happened in June 1990. It destroyed the northern cities of Rudbar, Manjil, and Lushan, along with hundreds of villages, killing an estimated 37,000 people.

Bam in the country�s southeastern province of Kerman witnessed a strong quake in December 2003 which killed 31,000 people.