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AROUND THE WORLD 2: Earthquake Hits Iran

An earthquake in southeast Iran on Tuesday caused significant damage and left people trapped under fallen buildings.

The earthquake was a 6.4 magnitude on the Richter scale, and it hit the Kerman Province. Because of poorly constructed buildings, the earthquake was very destructive.

“The scale of destruction is vast,” the interior minister said Wednesday. “Around 8,000 houses have been destroyed.” The minister also said that four or five villages are “100 percent destroyed.”

After the quake, heavy rain caused mudslides--which resulted in more damage. One village, Houtkan, which was on the side of a mountain, was almost destroyed. Now it’s full of broken telephone poles and collapsed houses. Because the village is isolated, help has been slow to arrive.

The Iranian Students’ News Agency estimated that the death toll was around 790, based on facts from hospitals and morgues. However, the exact number will take time as rescue workers continue to search for trapped people. The poor weather has made it more dangerous for the rescue workers.

Tents were provided to most families on the first or second day of the earthquake. Two flights from the capital brought tents, blankets, and food to the damaged region.

“We got there a few hours after the quake and the immediate relief operation was very good," said a man from the United Nations. “Hot food was being served, which was amazing. The army was there, helicopters were overhead. And all the people in charge…were very experienced.”

--Written by Christopher Gooch

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