Iran: 306 Dead and 3,037 Injured in the Earthquake

The two earthquakes of magnitude 6.3 and 6.4, according to the American Geological Institute, hit Saturday within minutes of the mountainous region of Varzeghan, Ahar and Heris in the province of East Azerbaijan, located in the northwest of Iran."Most victims were killed in the first moments of the earthquake because many homes in the area are dirt and, with the weight of the ceilings, the victims had no chance," said his side before the parliamentary Hossein Ghadami, head of the Crisis Ministry of Interior.

The government has decided to provide rapid assistance to area residents to rebuild their homes. Each family will receive 20 million rials (about 1,000 dollars) in aid without compensation and a loan at a low rate of 120 million rials (about $ 6,000) to rebuild homes, according to a government official. 
"We are ready to to make these facilities to build 20,000 permanent houses in the area. must start rebuilding now because winter is near, "he said. Winter is indeed very tough in this mountainous region.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Red Crescent has distributed 8,700 tents, 11,900 blankets, food and water in disaster areas for more than 16,000 homeless, explained Abdolhossein faqih, Chairman of Parliament. "We received offers of help from several countries, including Turkey, Singapore and Taiwan, but because we had enough men and resources, we did not need foreign aid. We have thanked them for their offer "he dit.Les U.S., Switzerland and Germany have also offered their assistance.

Iran is located on several major fault lines and has experienced many devastating earthquakes. The deadliest earthquake of the last twenty years has killed 31,000 people in the city of Bam (South) in December 2003.