BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhuanet) -- A powerful earthquake has hit the - border region, killing at least 35 people in Pakistan and destroying hundreds of houses.

Pakistani officials said at least 35 people were killed and 150 injured in the southwestern town of Mashkeel. Pakistan’s army also said it had deployed troops and helicopters to ferry tents, medicines and medical teams to the town.

In Iran, there were conflicting reports of casualties. State media initially said at least 46 people were killed, but an Iranian provincial governor later said there were no reports of deaths so far.

This was the second big quake to hit Iran in a week. On April 9th, a powerful 6.3 magnitude quake struck close to the Bushehr nuclear power plant, killing 37 people, injuring 850 and devastating two villages.

(Source: CNTV.cn)