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| Iran earthquakes leave scores dead in Tabriz region | Iran earthquakes leave scores dead in Tabriz region |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Two strong earthquakes have struck north-western Iran, leaving at least 180 people dead and more than 1,300 injured, officials say. | Two strong earthquakes have struck north-western Iran, leaving at least 180 people dead and more than 1,300 injured, officials say. |
| The quakes struck near the city of Tabriz and the town of Ahar, but most of the casualties are thought to be in outlying villages. | The quakes struck near the city of Tabriz and the town of Ahar, but most of the casualties are thought to be in outlying villages. |
| Reports say phone lines to many villages have been cut off, making rescue efforts harder. | Reports say phone lines to many villages have been cut off, making rescue efforts harder. |
| The US Geological Service measured the quakes at magnitude 6.4 and 6.3. | The US Geological Service measured the quakes at magnitude 6.4 and 6.3. |
| The first tremor occured at 16:53 local time (12:23 GMT), according to state TV. | |
| "The quake has created huge panic among the people," one resident of Tabriz told the BBC. "Everyone has rushed to the streets and the sirens of ambulances are everywhere." | "The quake has created huge panic among the people," one resident of Tabriz told the BBC. "Everyone has rushed to the streets and the sirens of ambulances are everywhere." |
| The towns of Haris and Varzaqab in East Azerbaijan province were among those that suffered casualties, Khalil Saei, local crisis committee chief, told state TV, according to the Associated Press. | The towns of Haris and Varzaqab in East Azerbaijan province were among those that suffered casualties, Khalil Saei, local crisis committee chief, told state TV, according to the Associated Press. |
| Officials say at least four villages have been completely destroyed, with another 60 villages suffering damage ranging from 50% to 70%. | Officials say at least four villages have been completely destroyed, with another 60 villages suffering damage ranging from 50% to 70%. |
| Dozens of rescue workers have been sent to the region, but the onset of darkness has hampered relief efforts. | |
| Officials warn that the death toll may rise, with rescuers searching under the rubble of collapsed buildings for survivors. | |
| President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office posted a statement on its website expressing condolences to those in the disaster zone and calling on authorities to "mobilise all efforts to help the affected populations," the AFP news agency reports. | |
| A provincial official has warned people in the region to stay outdoors overnight because of the risk of aftershocks. | A provincial official has warned people in the region to stay outdoors overnight because of the risk of aftershocks. |
| "My family is really terrified. It is night time now but we cannot sleep," Tabriz resident Amina Zia told the BBC. | "My family is really terrified. It is night time now but we cannot sleep," Tabriz resident Amina Zia told the BBC. |
| "This earthquake was... very strong and violent. | "This earthquake was... very strong and violent. |
| "There were around 10 aftershocks, which lasted a total of 10 minutes." | "There were around 10 aftershocks, which lasted a total of 10 minutes." |
| The two earthquakes came within minutes of each other, according to seismology experts at Tehran University. | The two earthquakes came within minutes of each other, according to seismology experts at Tehran University. |
| Iran straddles a major geological fault like, making it prone to seismic activity. In 2003 an earthquake in the city of Bam left 25,000 people dead. | |
| Are you in the region? Did you feel the earthquake? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below | Are you in the region? Did you feel the earthquake? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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