M A I N   N E W S

Iran quake toll 20,000 as aid pours in

Teheran, December 27
Iran declared three days of state mourning for the 20,000 persons killed in a devastating earthquake on Friday even as offers of aid poured in from several countries, reports Xinhua.

The earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, shook the ancient city of Bam in the wee hours of Friday, sending 90 per cent of the buildings collapsing into heaps of rubble and destroying the lives and homes of thousands of people.

At least 50,000 persons were injured in the initial tremor and aftershocks, said an official in the governor’s office of the southeastern province of Kerman.

According to reports of the official IRNA news agency, many victims were trapped under the debris. Relief workers rushed to the region for rescue operations. Power and water supplies have been snapped, hampering relief efforts.

Airplanes and military helicopters were busy transporting the wounded in the quake to other cities for treatment, since hospitals and clinics in Bam were destroyed and most medical workers had been killed or wounded in the quake.

Several consignments of tents, blankets, canned food, bread, clothing and medicine are being sent to the region. Iran’s interior ministry appealed to international organisations and foreign governments for aid.

US President George W. Bush extended his condolences to the Iranian people.

“We are greatly saddened by the loss of life, injuries, and widespread damage to this ancient city,“ Bush said in a statement. “I extend my condolences to all those touched by this tragedy. The thoughts of all Americans are with the victims and their families at this time, and we stand ready to help.”

France offered 65 security workers and 20 tonnes of material for a field hospital on Friday to help the quake-rocked region in southeastern Iran.

“France will take all measures to immediately deliver a 65-member civil security team and 20 tonnes of material that will make a field hospital function,” said the French Foreign Ministry.

A private fund of France’s Carrefour group announced that it was sending foods worth 150,000 ($213,000) euros to the quake-hit region aboard a chartered plane.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said an emergency and rescue unit based in Thessaloniki was ready to depart for Bam if Iran so requested.

Athens will also send 250,000 euros ($313,000) for the quake-stricken residents of Bam.

Norway offered 7 million kroner ($1 million) to Iran. Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik reportedly said in Oslo that the Norwegian government was ready to send more emergency humanitarian aid, including a field hospital.

The Red Cross in Sweden and Denmark also offered 1 million kroner ($150,000) and 200,000 kroner ($30,000) in aid to Iran, and teams of experts flew there to help search for and rescue those trapped under the debris.

Portugal President Jorge Sampaio sent a condolence message to his Iranian counterpart Khatami over the catastrophe. The National Civil Protection Service of Portugal told the European Union that it would offer personnel assistance, including 16 firemen, 10 doctors and six rescue teams with sniffer dogs.

Earthquakes are frequent in Iran. Since 1991 nearly 1,000 of them have claimed some 17,600 lives and injured 53,000 people, according to official figures. — IANS

India to help Iran with medical supplies
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 27
India is likely to rush medical supplies to the quake-devastated Iran as part of its efforts to provide humanitarian relief to one of its strategic partners and has put the Army Medical Corps (AMC) on a 48-hour alert.

“We have been told to be ready to rush medical relief and to set up emergency field hospitals in the quake-affected areas of Iran”, Lt- Gen B.N. Shahi, Director-General Armed Forces Medical services, said here today. Medicines, drugs, supplies and doctors would form part of India’s emergency relief for Iran.

He said medicines and relief supplies worth more than Rs 1 crore were already packed and ready to be airlifted within the next 48 hours.

“We have also earmarked doctors, nurses and a paramedic team to be flown at a very short notice” he added.

Kalam, PM offer condolences

New Delhi, December 27
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee have deeply mourned the deaths of thousands of people in a devastating earthquake at Bam in Iran and offered all assistance to Teheran in providing succour to those affected.

Foreign Secretary Shashank said Dr Kalam and Mr Vajpayee had sent separate message to Irani President Mohammed Khatami. The two leaders had offered to send tents, blankets and medicines for people of the affected region. — UNI