HOPES of finding more earthquake survivors in Iran’s ancient city of Bam faded yesterday as the sharp, foul smell of death permeated the pulverised rubble, confirming that the mud-brick houses became instant tombs for more than 20,000 people.

Foreign aid streamed into Iran today to help the people of the devastated city of Bam recover from an earthquake.

Officials in Iran fear that up to 40,000 people may have died when a powerful earthquake reduced much of a city to rubble.

Iran today urged Ireland not to pay a €5m ransom demanded by kidnappers of Irish citizen Aidan Leahy.

Mohammad Taheri fainted when his mother’s body was unearthed today, one of the victims of an earthquake in Iran that destroyed about 100 villages and killed 220 people.