Bam Fort City reduced to rubble
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami will visit Bam, the scene of the massive earthquake, tomorrow or Monday, and has ordered rescue efforts to be speeded up.
The International Red Cross has launched a €10m appeal in the aftermath of the earthquake, which devastated part of southeastern Iran.
Funds raised will be used to buy tents, electrical generators and blankets, and to provide the homeless with shelter from below freezing night temperatures.
As the relief operation continues, local doctors have said they fear as many as 25,000 people have been killed. It is thought that up to 30,000 people have been injured.
The quake, measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale, struck the south east of the country, destroying much of the ancient fort city of Bam.
Foreign rescue teams are arriving help tens of thousands of people feared trapped in rubble. Rescuers have arrived from Britain, Germany, Russia, and Switzerland.
Anyone willing to make a donation to the Irish Red Cross can do so on 1850-50-70-70.
