'Many killed' in Iran earthquake

The BBC ^ | December 26, 2003

[RWR8189]

A powerful earthquake has rocked southern Iran, causing many casualties, state radio reported.

It said the tremor, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, was centred near the city of Bam in Kerman province.

The city's historic quarter was destroyed and there were a "very many" dead, local governor Mohammad Ali Karimi was quoted as saying.

Telephone communication with several towns in the province has been cut off, and rescuers have rushed to the area.

The earthquake occurred at 0528 local time (0158 GMT), Iran's official news agency Irna quoted the Tehran University Geophysics Centre as saying.

"There is a lot of dead and injured in Bam city... there was a lot of damage," Mr Karimi told the state radio.

The Iranian Red Crescent chief, Mehdi Ebna, told Irna that "the number of deaths is not yet known", adding rescue teams were on their way to the affected area.

Bam is situated 180 kilometres (112 miles) from the provincial city of Kerman.

Seismologists say earthquakes are frequent in Iran.

Since 1991, tremors have claimed some 17,600 lives and injured 53,000 people, according to official figures.

[F14 Pilot]

Oh, I wanted to visit that. I am so sad.

[AmericaUnited]

Yes, an Act of Allah.

Let's see how they explain that one...

[Newbomb Turk]

bump

[McGavin999]

OMG, it was magnificent, and now it's gone.

[McGavin999]

I hope not, but you could very well be right.

[AdmSmith]

http://www.sacredsites.com/december2001pages/bam.htm

Bam, Iran

Citadel and mud city of Bam

Located in southeastern Iran, 200 kilometers south of Kerman, the ruined city of Arg-e-Bam is made entirely of mud bricks, clay, straw and the trunks of palm trees. The city was originally founded during the Sassanian period (224-637 AD) and while some of the surviving structures date from before the 12th century, most of what remains was built during the Safavid period (1502-1722). During Safavid times, the city occupied six square kilometers, was surrounded by a rampart with 38 towers, and had between 9000 and 13,000 inhabitants. Bam prospered because of pilgrims visiting its Zoroastrian fire temple (dating to early Sassanian times) and as a commercial and trading center on the famous Silk Road. Upon the site of the Zoroastrian temple the Jame Mosque was built during the Saffarian period (866-903 AD) and adjacent to this mosque is the tomb of Mirza Naiim, a mystic and astronomer who lived three hundred years ago. Bam declined in importance following an invasion by Afghans in 1722 and another by invaders from the region of Shiraz in 1810. The city was used as a barracks for the army until 1932 and then completely abandoned. Intensive restoration work began in 1953 and continues today.

Safavid dynasty citadel, Bam

Mud city of Bam

Mud buildings of Bam

Mud buildings of Bam

Fortified walls of Bam

[AdmSmith]

The pictures are the only things left of this city.

taken from http://www.sacredsites.com/december2001pages/bam.htm

[McGavin999]

Oh God, that hurts my heart. But the buildings are as nothing compared to the thousands of people who lie dead. You know that we have already offered help and you also know that help has been refused by the mad mullahs.

[McGavin999]

Look at the workmanship. How on earth did they create that out of mud and palms?

[JoeSchem]

Allah's work

If we were Muslims and they were Christians, that's how we would read it. Instead, since we are Christians, we'll send condolences and try to send aid.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

This is a tragedy. The historical loss is devastating.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims.

[Live free or die]

If we were Muslims and they were Christians, that's how we would read it. Instead, since we are Christians, we'll send condolences and try to send aid.

A huge 'amen brother' from me! Very well said. I've been looking at pictures on a yahoo slideshow of the bodies they're dragging from the rubble and I'm on the brink of tears already.