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Iran earthquake relief efforts begin after 250 killed Iran earthquake relief efforts begin after 250 killed
(40 minutes 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 work. 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," the official Fars news agency reported. 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".
"We hope that the death toll will not increase any more." 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 urban areas. "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 his home of 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. Locals said 33 of the villages 414 residents had died. "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 and the sirens of ambulances are everywhere." 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 that suffered casualties, local crisis committee chief Khalil Saei told state TV according to the Associated Press. 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 four totally flattened and 60 others sustained extensive damage. 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, confining 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 affected 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 on the floor of a morgue 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.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.
"I was working on my farm, on my tractor, and I felt the earth shake and I was thrown off the vehicle," he told AFP. "I felt the earth shake and I was thrown off the vehicle," he told AFP.
A Red Crescent has provided 3,000 tents, blankets, tonnes of 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 a truck full of emergency supplies to the border. The Turkish Red Crescent said it was sending emergency supplies to the border.
Iranian politician Mohammad Hassan-Nejad said relief groups had still not been able to reach the more remote areas, which take several hours to access under normal conditions, 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).
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," AFP reports.
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.
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