An Iranian medic attends to an injured woman in the town of Ahar, approximately 60km east of Tabriz. Photo: Kamel Rouhi/AFP/Getty Images
Aug 11, 2012
Two substantial earthquakes struck northwest Iran on Saturday, killing 87 people and injuring hundreds. Thousands fled their homes as aftershocks continued to hit the area, Iranian state media said.
The U.S. Geological Survey measured Saturday's first quake at 6.4 magnitude 37 miles northeast of the city of Tabriz. A second quake measuring 6.3 struck 30 miles northeast of Tabriz 11 minutes later.
The quakes together destroyed six villages and injured about 600 people.
There have been at least 18 aftershocks since, Iranian media said.
210 people in towns Varzaghan and Ahar were so far rescued from building rubble.
Residents in the area have been warned to to stay outside as much as possible, as additional aftershocks are to be expected.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Two substantial earthquakes struck northwest Iran on Saturday, killing 87 people and injuring hundreds. Thousands fled their homes as aftershocks continued to hit the area, Iranian state media said.
The U.S. Geological Survey measured Saturday's first quake at 6.4 magnitude 37 miles northeast of the city of Tabriz. A second quake measuring 6.3 struck 30 miles northeast of Tabriz 11 minutes later.
The quakes together destroyed six villages and injured about 600 people.
There have been at least 18 aftershocks since, Iranian media said.
210 people in towns Varzaghan and Ahar were so far rescued from building rubble.
Residents in the area have been warned to to stay outside as much as possible, as additional aftershocks are to be expected.
Two substantial earthquakes struck northwest Iran on Saturday, killing 87 people and injuring hundreds. Thousands fled their homes as aftershocks continued to hit the area, Iranian state media said.
The U.S. Geological Survey measured Saturday's first quake at 6.4 magnitude 37 miles northeast of the city of Tabriz. A second quake measuring 6.3 struck 30 miles northeast of Tabriz 11 minutes later.
The quakes together destroyed six villages and injured about 600 people.
There have been at least 18 aftershocks since, Iranian media said.
210 people in towns Varzaghan and Ahar were so far rescued from building rubble.
Residents in the area have been warned to to stay outside as much as possible, as additional aftershocks are to be expected.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.