A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Iran, Pakistan

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake at 9.3 miles of preliminary depth rocked Iran and Pakistan early Tuesday killing at least 40 people in the region.

CNN reports, the quake's epicenter was 53 miles east-southeast of the Iranian town of Khash, 103 miles northeast of Iranshahr and 123 miles south-east of Zahedan, according to the USGS.

An official with Pakistan's meteorological department told CNN the quake struck inside southern Iran, near the border with Pakistan and was felt as far away as Abu Dhabi, where buildings allegedly shook for over 40 seconds.