Officials in Iran say 153 people have been killed in two strong earthquakes in the country's northwest, near the city of Tabriz.

An estimated 1,300 people were injured.

Geological officials differed slightly on magnitude measurements, but both Tehran University and the U.S. Geological Survey put the magnitude of both at 6 or above.

Iranian officials say the two quakes, just minutes apart, did significant damage in a number of villages surrounding Tabriz.

Earthquakes are common in Iran, but few are significant enough to be noticed.