from
http://story.news.yahoo.c...rthquake

Thousands in Iranian City Killed in Quake
1 hour, 33 minutes ago

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer

KERMAN, Iran - Entire blocks of buildings lay crushed and survivors lined up blanket-wrapped bodies in the street after a devastating earthquake leveled nearly three-quarters of the Iranian city of Bam on Friday, killing at least 5,000 people and injuring 30,000 others.
The quake also destroyed much of Bam's historic landmark — a giant medieval fortress complex of towers, domes and walls, all made of mud-brick, overlooking a walled Old City, parts of which date back 2,000 years. Television images showed the highest part of the fort — including its distinctive square tower — crumbled like a sand castle down the side of the hill, though some walls still stood.

Local officials said the death toll could reach up to 12,000, though the deputy governor of Kerman province said an accurate count was impossible with many victims still trapped under the rubble. "Rescue operations are going slowly because of darkness," deputy governor Mohammad Farshad said.

"The disaster is far too huge for us to meet all of our needs," President Mohammad Khatami (news - web sites) said. "However, all the institutions have been mobilized."

The government asked for international assistance, particularly search and rescue teams. The United States promised to send aid, as did numerous European nations.

That's fucking Biblical, man.

It's awesome that we would send aid.

it's good that the usa have offered humanitarian aid to Iran, I hope that politics and stupid pride will not interfere.. - it's a terrible thing to say but sometimes we need a tragedy to get together, it's the human nature I guess