An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale hit Fars Province in southern Iran Sunday, local media reported.

The quake struck at a depth of 11 km, and its epicenter was located near the town of Khesht around 7:00 pm (1430 GMT).

The US Geological Survey initially estimated the earthquake's strength at 5.4.

No injuries or damage were reported about two hours after the quake.

The head of crisis management in Fars province, Rahim Azadi, told state television that rescue teams had been sent to the area and hospitals had been put on alert.

Iran lies on several major tectonic plates and is subject to frequent seismic activity.

In 2003, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck the ancient city of Bam, killing at least 25,000 people. 

The most powerful earthquake in Iran, with a magnitude of 7.4, occurred in 1990 and killed 40,000 people in the north of the country, injuring 300,000 and displacing half a million.