On the 12th of November, a large 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the border regions between Iran and Iraq.

The earthquake has been described as the largest one of 2017 – striking in a populated region where over 1.8 million people live.

Tremors were felt as far as Kuwait, Turkey and Palestine.

So far it is estimated that 530 people have been killed and over 7,370 are injured, across 8 cities and 526 villages.

The earthquakes epicentre was relatively close to the surface of the earth, at 11.8 miles down – with geologists suggesting it was a result of the collision between the Arabian and Eurasian plates.

Most of the casualties and wounded are located in the Kermanshah area of Iran, with around 600 of the injured located in Iraq.

The death toll continues to rise as aid agencies tend to the affected – yet it is already the deadliest of 2017, and the worst Iran has faced since 2012.

Some of the areas affected remain difficult to reach for many relief workers, given their remote location.

Al-Khair Foundation have not launched an appeal for this tragedy yet – but we are monitoring and assessing the situation as it develops.