Iran earthquake death toll set to pass 350

A powerful earthquake shook central Iran today, destroying villages, killing at least 190 people and injuring more than 1,000, with fears the death toll will pass 350.

Residents frantically dug through collapsed mud-brick homes looking for loved ones.

The epicentre of the 6.4-magnitude quake, which struck shortly before dawn, was on the outskirts of Zarand, a town 35 miles north-west of Kerman, the capital of Kerman province.

“The death toll has increased to 190, and more than 1,000 people have been injured,” said Interior Ministry spokesman Jahanbakhsh Khanjani.

Kerman provincial governor Mohammad Ali Karimi said “several villages have been destroyed” by the quake. Rain was reportedly hampering rescue efforts.

Television footage showed a village almost flattened with few mud-brick walls still standing.

Residents could be seen digging frantically amid collapsed slabs of concrete and piles of dirt in a bid to find people buried under the rubble.

However, buildings built of cement did not sustain heavy damage.

“All hospitals in Zarand are filled to capacity with the injured. Hospitals in the town cannot receive any more of the injured,” the broadcast said, showing images of elderly women and men lying on beds with various injuries.

The villages of Hotkan, Khanook, Motaharabad and Islamabad were the worst hit villages, it said.

Mostafa Soltani, a spokesman at Kerman Governor General Office, said officials expect the final death toll to surpass 350.

"It’s difficult to make a prediction but it’s possible that the final death toll may reach 350 at the end,” Soltani said.

Soltani said the experience of the more powerful earthquake in the nearby region two years ago has helped local authorities to cope with the developing situation.

“The earthquake in 2003 gave us a very good experience of how to deal with such a natural disaster. Despite the rain, relief operations are going smoothly. Relief teams have reached the villages and are helping the survivors,” he said.

The governor of Zarand said power in the region had been disrupted. He said medical and other supplies were needed, especially medicine, syringes and tents.

Zarand, 600 miles south-east of the capital Tehran, is a small town in Kerman province with a population of about 15,000 people.

Live pictures on Iranian television showed ambulances carrying the dead and injured and survivors sitting next to the dead slapping their faces and striking their head in grief.

Residents in a village stood next to their devastated houses asking for help to rescue their beloved buried under the rubble.

“What a catastrophe. Please help us,” said one of the survivors.