AN EARTHQUAKE OF MAGNITUDE 6.0 AND A SERIES OF AFTERSHOCKS STRUCK THE SOUTHERN IRANIAN PROVINCE OF HORMUZGAN ON SATURDAY, CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE, REUTERS QUOTED OFFICIALS AS SAYING. THERE WERE NO IMMEDIATE REPORTS OF CASUALTIES. 'THE EARTHQUAKE, WITH A MAGNITUDE OF 6.0, WAS CENTERED NEAR THE RURAL AREA OF FIN IN HORMUZGAN PROVINCE,' FARHAD JABARI, HEAD OF HORMUZGAN'S RED CRESCENT RESCUE SERVICE TOLD REUTERS. BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE QUAKE-HIT AREA, JABARI SAID BY TELEPHONE HE DID NOT THINK THE FIRST QUAKE AT 10.58 A.M. (0728 GMT) HAD DONE MUCH DAMAGE BUT FEARED A THIRD AFTERSHOCK AT ABOUT 1.30 P.M. (1000 GMT) GAVE MORE GROUNDS FOR CONCERN.
