5 Rescue teams are still searching for victims in
collapsed buildings after two strong earthquakes
hit northwestern Iran, killing at least 250 people
and injuring 2,600 others.
The 6.4 and 6.3 magnitude quakes struck
minutes apart late Saturday afternoon, leveling
several villages near the city of Tabriz and
seriously damaging several others.
The United States on Sunday offered help and
condolences to the people of Iran. The White
House statement was addressed to the “Iranian
people” and said the U.S. stands ready “to offer
assistance in this difficult time,” but made no
mention of the Iranian government.
Dozens of aftershocks have rumbled through the
area, prompting thousands of people to spend
the night outdoors.
The Red Crescent aid society says it has given
emergency shelter to thousands of people so far
and is sending in more supplies.
Earthquakes are common in Iran, but few are
significant enough to be noticed. The last major
earthquake in Iran was a magnitude 6.6 quake
in 2003 in the southeastern city of Bam, where
30,000 people died.
link below
www.blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/08/12/iran-earthquakes-kill-250-thousands-injured-3/