At least 11 people were killed and dozens were injured in a gas explosion in Iran's western Kurdistan province on Thursday, the country's semi-official Mehr news agency quoted a provincial emergency official as saying.

"At least 11 people were killed and unfortunately five children were among them when the gas explosion occurred at a wedding hall at night at Saqqez city," Mehr reported, adding that dozens were injured when trying to escape.

Mehr said rescue teams and ambulances had been dispatched to the scene.