Tehran, Sept 27, IRNA-A relatively strong earthquake measuring 5.5 degrees on the Richter scale hit the city of Sarab in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan Monday night.

According to the seismological base of Tehran's University's Geophysics Institute, the quake occurred at 22:27 hours local time (17.57 GMT).

According to the report, the tremor was felt in an area measuring 47.60 degrees in longitude and 37.75 degrees in latitude.

Sarab Governor Ali Fathi said there were no reports of any casualty or damage to property.

He said that in the wake of the 5.5 Richter scale earthquake, members of the Natural Disaster Headquarters of Sarab are now on full alert, adding that Ardebil province through its Natural Disaster Headquarters expressed readiness to dispatch humanitarian aid.

With a population of 100,000, Sarab is located 140km southeast of the provincial capital Tabriz.

Quakes of varying magnitudes often occur in Iran, which is situated on some of the world's most active seismic faultlines.