Azernews.Az

A 7 magnitude earthquake jolted the north-western part of Azerbaijan on Monday morning, seismologists said. No deaths were reported, but 15 people are said to have received light injuries, mostly during the turmoil that ensued.

The quake, which occurred in the area between Zagatala and Gakh regions, caused destruction, and residents of multistoried buildings had to leave their homes to get out of harm`s way, the National Academy of Sciences` National Seismology Center told the Baku-based Trend news agency on Monday.

According to preliminary conclusions, cracks had emerged in some buildings. Emergency rescue teams were pulled to the area.

The epicenter of the quake was 17 kilometers south-west of the Zagatala town.

Minister of Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov, together with local officials, inspected the worst-hit areas, the local executive authority told Trend.

Besides the 7 point quake, six minor tremors were reported in the Zagatala region, located 372 kilometers away from the capital Baku.

Tremors were also sensed in the adjacent Shaki, Gakh, Oguz, Mingachevir, Gadabay and Shamkir regions.