WATCH: Iranian Rescuers Search For Earthquake Victims
Thousands of survivors of a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border spent another day in bitterly cold temperatures in need of food, water, and other essential supplies.
Iran's Kermanshah Province bore the brunt of the quake, with official media saying on November 14 that at least 530 people died and more than 8,000 others were injured in Iran.
In the more sparsely populated areas across the border in Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 530 others injured as a result of the quake. Iraq's Red Crescent put the toll at nine dead.
The 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck about 30 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq late on November 12.
Iranian state television reported that thousands of survivors spent another night in makeshift camps or out in the open as authorities said several towns and nearly 2,000 villages were damaged.
Photo Gallery: Earthquake Leaves Trail Of Devastation (click to open)
Hundreds Dead In Powerful Earthquake Near Iran-Iraq Border
1/21A woman mourns as she holds the body of her daughter in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
2/21People react to a dead body in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
3/21People sit on the rubble of a destroyed house in the city of Darbandikhan in northern Iraq.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
4/21A boy looks at a damaged building in the town of Darbandikhan in northern Iraq.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
5/21A victim receives treatment at a hospital in Sarpol-e Zahab in Iran's Kermanshah Province.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
6/21Iranian victims of the earthquake look for their belongings around the wreckage of their home in the city of Pole-Zahab in Kermanshah Province.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
7/21Rescue personnel looks for survivors and victims in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
8/21Rescue workers search for victims under the rubble of a collapsed building in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
9/21A man walks past a damaged building in Darbandikhan in Sulaimaniya Governorate, Iraq.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
10/21In Sarpol-e Zahab
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
11/21A woman reacts as medics cover dead bodies in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
12/21People look at destroyed buildings in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
13/21Residents huddle by a fire in an open area in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
14/21Rescue personnel looks for survivors and victims in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
15/21In Sarpol-e Zahab
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
16/21In Sarpol-e Zahab
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
17/21Bodies are collected in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
18/21A woman mourns next to a body in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
19/21People receive treatment in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
20/21Men tend to an injured woman in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
21/21A man reacts to the destruction in Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Iran’s Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.
In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.
The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
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Several villages were said to be completely wiped from the map. The mayor of the city of Ezgeleh said 80 percent of its buildings had collapsed.
About 12,000 residential buildings "totally collapsed," according to an Iran-based Red Crescent official, Mansoureh Bagheri.
Meanwhile, Behnam Saidi, the spokesman for a crisis unit handling the response to the quake, said search operations were "reaching their end."
Iran has so far declined offers of foreign assistance to deal with the aftermath of the tremor, Reuters reported.
An Iranian woman looks out from a tent pitched near damaged buildings in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshah Province on November 14.
As Iran marked a day of mourning, President Hassan Rohani visited the affected region on November 14 and promised that the government would "use all its power to resolve the problems in the shortest time."
Rohani said state-built houses suffered more damage, and those responsible would be held accountable.
"The people should build their own houses. They build better houses than those built under projects and schemes," Rohani said as he visited Kermanshah, state TV reported. "I promise you, those responsible will be punished."
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on November 14 urged state agencies to speed up aid efforts.
Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), said that the immediate needs were tents, water, and food.
"Newly constructed buildings...held up well, but the old houses built with earth were totally destroyed," Jafari said while visiting the region.
The Red Crescent said emergency shelter had been provided for thousands of homeless survivors.
It said many areas lacked water and electricity and that aid supplies were being hampered by roads blocked by landslides.
Ambulances and army helicopters were reported to have joined the rescue effort.
Iran is on many major fault lines and is often hit by damaging earthquakes.
In 2003, a 6.6-magnitude quake destroyed the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, AFP, AP, Reuters, and the BBC
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