Another temblor hits Iran

The death toll from two strong earthquakes that
struck northwest Iran was likely to
climb Sunday as crews scoured
communities reduced to rubble by
temblors and aftershocks. A third earthquake struck early
Sunday morning in the same region,
according to the U.S. Geological
Survey. There were no immediate
reports of damage or casualties. At least 250 people were killed and
2,000 injured in Saturday's
earthquakes, state-run Press TV said,
quoting the Interior Ministry. The
quakes struck near Tabriz, the
country's fourth-largest city. Other state news agencies put the toll
at 180 dead. The cities of Ahar and
Varzagan are the hardest
hit, with at least 220
people killed and an
additional 1,500 wounded,
Khalil Saei, the provincial director of crisis
management, told the
Islamic Republic News Agency. Initial reports said some buildings in
Tabriz suffered structural damage and
power lines were down. Telephone lines
were down in Ahar, the quake's
epicenter. Officials are assessing the
extent of the damage.