A powerful 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Iran on Wednesday evening, US Geological Survey informs. 

Epicenter of the underground shakings was 42 kilometers southeast of Qayen city, and its hypocenter was 5.4 kilometers beneath the surface, rbc reports.  

The tremor measured magnitude 5.5, and its epicenter was Zohan village which is located 110 kilometers from Birjand, the capital city of South Khorasan province, Lenta.ru informs referring to AP.

According to local news media, the earthquake claimed five lives and injured ten others. The natural disaster caused panic in Birjand and the local residents ran out of their homes,  Fars news agency reports.