World

Iranian TV Says at Least 180 People Killed in Magnitude 6.2 Quake

Iranian TV Says at Least 87 People Killed in Magnitude 6.2 Quake

(Photo: AP)

(The Blaze/AP) — Two strong earthquakes leveled villages and damaged homes in northwestern Iran on Saturday, killing at least 180 people and injuring more than 1,350 others, state TV reported. Thousands of people spent the night outdoors as aftershocks rattled the area.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that Saturday’s first quake at 4:53 p.m. (1223 GMT) had a magnitude of 6.4 and struck 37 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of the city of Tabriz at a depth of 9.9 kilometers (6.2 miles). Its epicenter was a region between the towns of Ahar and Haris, about 200 miles (500 kilometers) northwest of the capital Tehran, according to Khalil Saei, local Crisis Committee chief, the TV report said.

The second quake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck 11 minutes later, the U.S.G.S. reported. Its epicenter was 29 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Tabriz at a depth of 6.1 miles (9.8 kilometers).

The quakes hit the towns of Ahar, Haris and Varzaqan in East Azerbaijan province, the TV report said. At least six villages were totally leveled, and 60 others sustained damage ranging from 50 to 80 percent, it said.

Iranian TV Says at Least 87 People Killed in Magnitude 6.2 Quake

(Photo: AP)

At least 10 aftershocks jolted the same area and were felt in a wide region near the Caspian Sea, causing panic among the population.

Saei urged people in the quake region to stay outdoors and spend the night at parks and open spaces in anticipation of more aftershocks. Authorities feared the death toll could rise as rescuers were still trying to reach people trapped under rubble and had not yet reacher some more remote villages.

Iran is located on seismic fault lines and is prone to earthquakes. It experiences at least one earthquake every day on average, although the vast majority are so small they go unnoticed.

In 2003, some 26,000 people were killed by a magnitude 6.6 quake that flattened the historic southeastern city of Bam.

This post has been updated.

Comments (92)

1 2
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:27pm

    My condolences to the family and friends. It isn’t all their fault they have such a horrible leader that wants to destroy instead of getting along.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:20pm

      Good point. And speaking out against that government / religious fanatics is extremely dangerous.

      Report Post »  
    • sillyfreshness
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:48pm

      I bet it’s their little troll the 12th Imam coming out of the well causing it.

      Report Post » sillyfreshness  
    • ConservativeMomofFour
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 11:46pm

      Some of the comments on here seem so hateful. I think now would be a good time to show them Love and Charity. Love thy enemy…it‘s what we’re commanded to do. When we see a need we should help. The Iranian people tried to free themselves from their oppressive regime but it failed. Because Obama had his own agenda which differed from most of the American people. He chose to put on blinders when Iranian freedom was being fought for, while the American people thought cool lets go help the Iranian people throw off the chains of bondage put on them by their government. But nope Obama chose to evidently support the Iranian regime (we know how Obama loves radicals) And how did Obama punish the feeble minded Americans who thought the Iranian people should be free? By having U.S. taxpayers pay the salaries of the Muslim Brotherhood officials that are employed by this Government. The American people need to support the Iranian people. They are just like us, stuck under the rule of an oppressive government, with a corrupt media and sharia law being forced down their throats. They are just further along than we are.

      Report Post »  
  • shards of narsil
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:15pm

    lets assume we accept your ridiculous premise that all muslims are somehow in league with satan, by virtue claiming a religion that they were born into, what about the jews, christians, zoroastrians, and baha’is that live in iran?

    CHIPS1
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:06pm
    Muslims belong to Satan‘s cult and you just don’t negotiate with Satan.

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:29pm

      You mean the ones that are being killed every day by muslims? I feel the same way about them that I do about the babies that are killed every day over here. May God protect their souls.

      Report Post »  
  • Master_and_Commander
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:09pm

    wow, after reading some of the comments I’m disgusted with everyone here. I can’t believe some of you are actually celebrating. I mean its one thing to go out in the streets singing and cheering when they got Osama Bin Ladin, but these were innocent people killed. Show some decency and maturity for crying out loud…

    Report Post »  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:49pm

      …that goes for people of all religions or no religion.

      riseandshine  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:51pm

      my post above doesn’t belong there…it was a reply to a post that was removed.

      Report Post » riseandshine  
  • christos
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:06pm

    If anyone believes one word they say you are a Fool,Earthquake claim,does not make it true,if so that’s nothing compare to whats coming footnote the book of “Revelation”.

    Report Post » christos  
    • docgreen
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:41pm

      How do we know it was an Earthquake? I’m not sure if people realize this, but remember when the roof of the coal mine fell in? This may be one of those senario’s! What if they tested a Nuclear Bomb underground? I guess the next question to ask is, how safe were their Nuclear Plants Built? We may be looking at Radiation problem! Or one other thing we need to think off. Maybe is was the 12th imam/global caliphat coming out of the well/hole!

      Report Post »  
    • christos
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:02pm

      To DOCGREEN – Your post good thought,plus at the end of Post a Bonus Chuckle,,,

      Report Post » christos  
    • The_Almighty_Creestof
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:11pm

      Since when does any news come out of Iran…it just does not seem like them to report a “problem.”

      Looking for some international aid money/supplies to offset sanctions?

      I say…screenshot, or it didn’t happen.

      Report Post »  
  • Master_and_Commander
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:05pm

    Its Bush’s fault.

    Report Post »  
  • shards of narsil
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:00pm

    apple bite –

    what did a child killed today in iran ever do to you, or america, or israel, or anyone else?

    Report Post »  
  • shards of narsil
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:57pm

    regarding the “remember daniel pearl?” comment – daniel pearl was murdered in pakistan, not iran.

    the christian thing to do would be to send aid. innocent people, CHILDREN died today because of this. it strikes me as genuinely confusing how many pro-life people on here will rail about abortion, but will then make comments that are basically tantamount to “F@#K EM” when it comes to horrible things happening in muslim countries.

    the people that died today may have been supporters of the regime there. maybe the hated america. or maybe they were indifferent. maybe they were just ordinary people that had the misfortune of being born in iran in this current political climate and were just trying to get through life like you or i.

    Report Post »  
    • Metalstr8jckt
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:25pm

      Iran continues on it’s fools errand to become a nuclear state with a delivery vehicle to fire a missile/warhead. They have plenty of oil for cash and any sanctions against them for violating international nuclear proliferation do not include food and medical aid. I will bet you a dinner of your choice (and I gather you have never eaten humble pie) this evening that there is a “poor, innocent” child who was hungry and suffered the consequences of sharia law at the expense of his left appendage. Go ahead and feign sympathy for these victims. The fact remains that madmen with apocalyptic ideology are running things in Iran What Po’s me the most is people believe crap like yours in the name of compassionate packaging of Ba-al worshiping zealotry. Look on top of a mosque…The fricking moon. (gawd) That ladies and gentleman is idolatry repackaged in the 7th century by a Bedouin murderer. BBQ-ing infidels is their goal.

      Report Post » Metalstr8jckt  
    • Bruce P.
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:16pm

      SHARDS — because pro-life isn’t actually about “life” but control.

      Report Post » Bruce P.  
    • stumpy68
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:48pm

      Id be happy to send aid if i thought for a second a penny of it would
      get to those that need it.

      Report Post » stumpy68  
    • Bruce P.
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:31am

      STUMPY — donate it to the Red Cross or Red Crescent.

      Report Post » Bruce P.  
  • sndrman
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:43pm

    come on obama send secrets in disguise of emergency help

    Report Post »  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:34pm

    Allu Akbar!!! Or whatever the hell they say over there!

    And with only a 6.2 earthquake, it appears their God was being kind to them…

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:42pm

      And let me be clear about this, no longer will I practice tolerance towards those who will never and utterly refuse to exhibit such in return. That goes for those extremists over there and these damn Liberals over here.

      NONE WHATSOEVER.

      I feel that other side of me coming out, the Objectivist. You can only take so much from these jack holes of the far left, til you pull the damn gloves off and be ready to smash their souls inside out with your bare hands!

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • chips1
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:02pm

      APPLE BITE:
      Sounds like a winner.

      Report Post »  
    • ZAP
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:47pm

      guz75 must be casting the first stone

      Report Post » ZAP  
    • guz75
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:24pm

      Just pointing out what APPLE BITE sounds like when he spews that cr*p, not very nice is it? But I‘m guessing he’s a strong supporter of free speech and is quite happy for me to also be intolerant of his particular breed.

      Report Post »  
    • Bruce P.
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:19pm

      APPLE BITE — it sounds like you are the exact kind of person that you are describing.

      And it shows what kind of person you are to, in exploiting the deaths of innocent people, tell us how you will no longer tolerate their existence.

      Report Post » Bruce P.  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 8:02pm

      Give me a good reason why I should continue to open my arms to those that just want to kill me or do me harm? Give me one good reason why. You see that imbecile Obama and the rest of those clowns on the left? They don’t give a damn about you or anything else. All they care about is POWER. That’s all their kind ever gave a damn about. You couldn’t name a single Liberal or Progressive at this moment that knew how to hold back their own beliefs when it comes to running a state or anything else that has to do with the general populace. Never mind the extremists.

      Come on, give one good reason why I should allow them to continue to treat me like dirt?

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • Bruce P.
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 8:33am

      APPLE BITE — because those people you are claiming are doing you harm and treating you like dirt, such as the people who are suffering in Iran at the moment, have done nothing to ever hurt you.

      Report Post » Bruce P.  
  • barber2
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:23pm

    Wonder where these Iranians are building their nuclear facilities ?

    Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:15pm

    Even if they are our perceived enemies, God says to love them. The best thing America could do is send aid. If they refuse it, then it is on them. When your enemy is thirsty give them drink, if they are hungry give them food. Many of these people probably do not care about the U.S. and some may want to kill us.

    God rest their souls.

    Report Post » COFemale  
    • QuincySmith
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:30pm

      Well said.

      Report Post » QuincySmith  
    • barber2
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:33pm

      COFE: Remember Daniel Pearl ?

      Report Post »  
    • Metalstr8jckt
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:35pm

      @Cofemale..Yes the Bible does refer to aiding them if they thirst. I believe that in this particular instance the totalitarian infrastructure of the Imams and Ahmadinejad are probably capable of handling this crisis. If I remember right, the particular scripture you refer to also mentions that showing mercy and compassion on your enemy will in effect heap flaming coals upon their heads. I believe that there are Iranian scientists and generals working towards some twisted humanitarian “goal” wishing to extend the gift of fission to their neighbors in Israel.

      Report Post » Metalstr8jckt  
    • christos
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:01pm

      You are Wrong +GOD+ Hates them they are enemies of Israel,,,+GOD+ speaks of Hate & enemies plenty,,also they have tons of $ let them help themselves.

      Report Post » christos  
    • chips1
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:13pm

      If they need aid, just send them all of those trailers we have from Katrina.

      Report Post »  
    • Bruce P.
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:25pm

      COFE: Daniel Pearl wasn’t killed by those Iranians who died or are otherwise suffering because of the earthquake. To regard them with hatred for something that they are not responsible for is to make yourself every bit as bad as you claim them to be.

      Besides, there are not only Muslims in Iran. 1.5 million people in the country are Jewish, Zoroastrian or Christian. Do you hold them responsible as well?

      Report Post » Bruce P.  
  • KidCharlemagne
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:08pm

    How many of the victims were the Jews of Iran though?

    “Nevertheless, Iran’s Jewish community is the largest in the Middle East outside Israel.”
    http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/iranjews.html

    Report Post »  
  • Z
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 2:32pm

    under ground nuke test gone bad?

    Report Post » Z  
  • www.TopTheNews.com
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 2:31pm

    These people are most likely goat herders or something in some small village. Just because there are a few nuts in charge doesn‘t mean every single one of the people is bad or even agrees with their leader’s actions.

    That goes for a lot of countries.

    Report Post » www.TopTheNews.com  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 2:30pm

    87 down only 60,927,324 to go!

    Report Post » historyguy48  
    • Bruce P.
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:27pm

      You are sick. No better than the caricature of Muslims you hate.

      Report Post » Bruce P.  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 2:22pm

    …
    Iran is located on seismic fault lines. If Iran doesn’t stop threatening Israel, God just may crack open those fault lines and let the Earth swallow up Iran.

    God opened up the Earth and swallowed up the sinners, when Moses came down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments.

    Report Post »  
  • ZAP
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 2:17pm

    Carter,go rebuild that toilet with your little hammer

    Report Post » ZAP  
  • variable51
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 2:07pm

    80 dead, that’s a good start, but only a start…. ;-)

    Report Post » variable51  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 1:44pm

    Was it the Great Satan or the Little Satan that pointed the earthquake beam at them?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 1:41pm

    Fasten your seat belts…

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • SCREW-WINDOWS
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 1:32pm

    Obama is on it aid will arrive in the morning !

    Report Post » SCREW-WINDOWS  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 1:28pm

    So now how long until we see the Iranian leadership blaming Israel; and Obama and the Democrats will blame Pres Bush for this having happened? Any aid workers the US sends over will become hostages instantly.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • docgreen
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 4:49pm

      Snow, I think you hit something! I bet they believe we dug a hole through the Earths core and set a bomb off! LOL

      Report Post »  
  • chips1
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 1:27pm

    Obama won’t help Israel, but God will. Nice job!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Mil Mom
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 1:23pm

    Any other country America would immediately send in Aid Workers. Iran? Can anyone say “Jimmy Carter…..HOSTAGES?”

    Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • blackyb
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 2:01pm

      If they keep Jimmy…..well, just keep his old left listing self. We got enough of those here. We will not miss him.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • stumpy68
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:53pm

      Presidential photo op send obama and the top reporters
      from the msm over there to cover the relief effort. lol

      Report Post » stumpy68  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 1:22pm

    Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of people.

    Report Post »  
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