TEHRAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were injured in several strong earthquakes in the western Iranian provinces of Kermanshah and Ilam on Thursday, state IRIB TV reported.

In the successive quakes, a number of old houses were also destroyed, the report said.

The strong quakes, ranging between 5.0-5.6 magnitude, shook western Iran on Thursday.

The first tremor jolted Soomar city in Kermanshah province, followed by two aftershocks of 5.4-magnitude and 5-magnitude.

Besides, a 5.4-magnitude quake jolted Zarneh region in Iran's Ilam province.

People in Kermanshah and Soomar cities rushed to the streets in panic as the temblors hit, local media reported.

Schools were closed in Ilam province and the exam programs of the universities were also cancelled in the province.

At least 600 Iranians died in a 7.3-magnitude earthquake that hit the Kermanshah province on Nov. 12 last year.