This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19231118#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Iran earthquake relief efforts begin after 250 killed Iran earthquake relief efforts begin after 250 killed
(about 1 hour later)
Relief operations are under way in Iran after two strong earthquakes in the north-west left at least 250 people dead and more than 2,000 injured.Relief operations are under way in Iran after two strong earthquakes in the north-west left at least 250 people dead and more than 2,000 injured.
The 6.4 and 6.3 quakes struck near Tabriz and Ahar on Saturday afternoon, with more than 55 aftershocks reported over the following hours.The 6.4 and 6.3 quakes struck near Tabriz and Ahar on Saturday afternoon, with more than 55 aftershocks reported over the following hours.
More than 100 villages are damaged - thousands of people spent the night in emergency shelters or in the open.More than 100 villages are damaged - thousands of people spent the night in emergency shelters or in the open.
Relief agencies are providing survivors with tents, bread and drinking water.Relief agencies are providing survivors with tents, bread and drinking water.
The BBC's Mohsen Asgari in the capital Tehran says hundreds of people were rescued overnight but that the aftershocks made the operation exhausting.The BBC's Mohsen Asgari in the capital Tehran says hundreds of people were rescued overnight but that the aftershocks made the operation exhausting.
'Mass grave''Mass grave'
On Sunday Hassan Ghadami, Iran's deputy interior minister, said that "all those under debris have been rescued and the quake-stricken people are now being provided with their basic needs".On Sunday Hassan Ghadami, Iran's deputy interior minister, said that "all those under debris have been rescued and the quake-stricken people are now being provided with their basic needs".
Local officials said all the reported deaths have been in rural areas, an indication of the poorer quality of housing outside cities.Local officials said all the reported deaths have been in rural areas, an indication of the poorer quality of housing outside cities.
"This village is a mass grave," said Alireza Haidaree, who had been searching for survivors in Baje Baj."This village is a mass grave," said Alireza Haidaree, who had been searching for survivors in Baje Baj.
"There are so many other villages that have been completely destroyed," he told AFP."There are so many other villages that have been completely destroyed," he told AFP.
"The quake has created huge panic among the people," one resident of Tabriz told the BBC. "Everyone has rushed to the streets.""The quake has created huge panic among the people," one resident of Tabriz told the BBC. "Everyone has rushed to the streets."
The towns of Haris and Varzaqan in East Azerbaijan province in north-western Iran were among those hit.The towns of Haris and Varzaqan in East Azerbaijan province in north-western Iran were among those hit.
Fars reported that about 110 villages had been damaged. At least were four totally flattened and 60 others sustained extensive damage.Fars reported that about 110 villages had been damaged. At least were four totally flattened and 60 others sustained extensive damage.
Interior Minister Moustafa Mohammad-Najjar told state media that reconstruction work would begin immediately, to ensure homes were built before the onset of winter.
Reports say phone lines to many villages were cut off, restricting rescuers to radio contact.Reports say phone lines to many villages were cut off, restricting rescuers to radio contact.
A resident of Tabriz told Reuters that a local hospital he visited to give blood was struggling to cope with the number of injured people, most of whom had been taken there by their families.A resident of Tabriz told Reuters that a local hospital he visited to give blood was struggling to cope with the number of injured people, most of whom had been taken there by their families.
Arash, a resident of Ahar, told Reuters the hospital there was full, and that the road between the two towns was jammed with people trying to find medical help.Arash, a resident of Ahar, told Reuters the hospital there was full, and that the road between the two towns was jammed with people trying to find medical help.
Stadium shelterStadium shelter
Sixty-six rescue teams have been sent to the region, along with about 200 ambulances and five helicopters.Sixty-six rescue teams have been sent to the region, along with about 200 ambulances and five helicopters.
Dozens of families spent the night outdoors in parks, and television showed footage of bodies lying in a mortuary in Ahar, including those of children.Dozens of families spent the night outdoors in parks, and television showed footage of bodies lying in a mortuary in Ahar, including those of children.
As morning came, search teams with sniffer dogs began working through the wreckage in Tabriz.As morning came, search teams with sniffer dogs began working through the wreckage in Tabriz.
There were reports that in some areas many of the victims were women, who had been inside homes preparing evening meals to break the Ramadan fast.There were reports that in some areas many of the victims were women, who had been inside homes preparing evening meals to break the Ramadan fast.
One farmer from the village of Qanbar Mehdizade said he and his family survived because they had been working in the open fields at the time. A 13-year-old girl near the village of Mirza Ali Kandi told AFP she survived because she had been playing outside her house when the quake struck, but that her brother and sister, who had stayed inside, were both killed.
"I felt the earth shake and I was thrown off the vehicle," he told AFP. One farmer from the village of Qanbar Mehdizade said he and his family also survived because they had been working in the open fields at the time.
The Red Crescent has provided 3,000 tents, blankets, food and blood supplies. It also took over a sports stadium to provide emergency shelter to about 16,000 people who had fled their homes.The Red Crescent has provided 3,000 tents, blankets, food and blood supplies. It also took over a sports stadium to provide emergency shelter to about 16,000 people who had fled their homes.
A provincial official warned people to stay outdoors overnight because of the risk of aftershocks.A provincial official warned people to stay outdoors overnight because of the risk of aftershocks.
The Turkish Red Crescent said it was sending emergency supplies to the border. The Turkish Red Crescent said it was sending emergency supplies to the border, but AFP quoted officials as saying Iran would be able to handle the disaster itself.
Iranian politician Mohammad Hassan-Nejad said relief groups had still not been able to reach the more remote areas and warned the death toll could rise.Iranian politician Mohammad Hassan-Nejad said relief groups had still not been able to reach the more remote areas and warned the death toll could rise.
"Currently the roads are closed and the only way to reach these villages is by air," he told the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA)."Currently the roads are closed and the only way to reach these villages is by air," he told the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA).
The first quake struck 23km (14 miles) south-west of Ahar and 58km (36) miles north-east of Tabriz at 16:54 local time (12:23 GMT) on Saturday, said the US Geological Survey.The first quake struck 23km (14 miles) south-west of Ahar and 58km (36) miles north-east of Tabriz at 16:54 local time (12:23 GMT) on Saturday, said the US Geological Survey.
The second earthquake struck just 11 minutes after the first, slightly closer to Tabriz.The second earthquake struck just 11 minutes after the first, slightly closer to Tabriz.
Iran straddles a major geological fault line, making it prone to seismic activity. In 2003 an earthquake in the city of Bam left more than 25,000 people dead.Iran straddles a major geological fault line, making it prone to seismic activity. In 2003 an earthquake in the city of Bam left more than 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.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions