Iran Earthquake [Update]: 182 Dead, 1500 Injured So Far

The numbers are still coming in - it looks like this quake is going to be significant:

Reuters Report (headline is dated - see updates below):

Iran Earthquakes Kill 180, Injure 1,300

Thousands fled their homes and remained outdoors after Saturday's quakes, as at least 20 aftershocks hit the area.

Casualty numbers could well rise, Iranian officials feared, as some of the injured were in critical condition, others were still trapped under the rubble and rescuers had yet to reach some of the affected villages. Some 60 villages had sustained more than 50 percent damage, Iranian media said.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured Saturday's first quake at 6.4 magnitude and said it struck 60 km (37 miles) northeast of the city of Tabriz at a depth of 9.9 km (6.2 miles). A second quake measuring 6.3 struck 49 km (30 miles) northeast of Tabriz 11 minutes later at a similar depth.

Tabriz is a major city and trading hub far from Iran's oil producing areas and known nuclear facilities. Buildings in the city are substantially built, and the Iranian Students' News Agency said nobody in the city itself had been killed or hurt.

Homes and businesses in Iranian villages, however, are often made of concrete blocks or mud brick that can crumble and collapse in a strong quake.

Red Crescent official Mahmoud Mozafar was quoted by Mehr news agency as saying about 16,000 people in the quake-hit area had been given emergency shelter.

Fars quoted lawmaker Abbas Falahi as saying he believed rescue workers had not yet been able to reach between 10 and 20 villages.

A local provincial official urged people in the region to stay outdoors during the night for fear of aftershocks, according to IRNA. Falahi said people in the region were in need of bread, tents and drinking water.

The first article below is the most recent (clicking on the link will provide the most recent information): I'll keep updating the paragraphs below with new information as well:

Earthquakes Iran: 182 People Killed And At Least 1500 People Injured

Update 22:59 UTC :
182 people have been killed in today’s earthquake (intermediate toll as this number will certainly climb further tomorrow)
Darkness has impeded the rescue effort and the number of injured has surpassed 1500.
Aerial photographs: http://www.farsnews.com/imgrep.php?nn=13910522000011
Pictures of people of the village of Varzghan: http://www.farsnews.com/imgrep.php?nn=13910522000028

Update 21:46 UTC :
The earthquake has cut off the gas supply to 70 villages in the Ahar area

Update 21:31 UTC :
Labor news agency ILNA reports that Rescue services admitted tonight that 10 to 20 villages in the epicenter area have not been reached yet. We have to fear that the number of fatalities will go up in the morning hours. It is after midnight in Iran at the moment and as the power is down in the earthquake stricken area and as many roads are blocked Search and Rescue work will be very difficult.
Iranian officials have announced that the figures from the death and wounded will increase due to the critical condition of the wounded.

Fars is reporting that 16,000 people will have temporary shelter in 3,000 tents. 11,000 food kits and more than 12,000 tuna fish cans in addition to more than 15,000 blankets have been distributed.
Good news is that Sttar Khan Dam at Ahar is intact and no problem with water access at the three towns of Ahar Haris, and Varzghan.

Keep this page open to read more details when they become available
- We thank ER readers Jens and Mehran for collecting news together with us.

Update 19:59 UTC : New report : 180 people killed and 1300 injured. 6 villages (we can talk about small towns in Iran as they have mostly thousands of inhabitants) have been almost completely destroyed.
- This quote reaches us from Tabriz via our I Have Felt It system : I am a 28 year old Doctor. I was in hospital when the earthquake occurred. It was really a strong and long-lasting one. It was not gonna stop at all!!!

Update 19:34 UTC : The numbers keep climbing (as expected) FARS now reports 153 killed people and 1300 injured !!

Update 19:29 UTC : New data we could collect :
- 6 villages – 100% destroyed (up from 4)
- 60 villages – 50-70% destroyed
- Heavy traffic problems also around the area which are impacting on ambulances.
- 210 people have been recued from below the rubble by Iranian SAR (Search and Rescue) teams. Congratulations to this SAR personnal who is constantly risking their lives while strong aftershocks are continue to collapse parts of buildings.

Keep this page open to read more details when they become available
- We thank ER readers Jens and Mehran for collecting news together with us.

Update 19:20 UTC : Unfortunately we have to confirm that the Deputy Minister and Head of Crisis Management told the press that 153 people have been killed. More than 700 were injured.

Update 19:12 UTC : Sad to say, but in the meantime the death toll has risen to 153! These numbers are coming from the international press. Iranian press holds to 87 at this moment. Let’s hope that they are right, but based on the devastation we fear for even worse numbers.

Update 19:04 UTC : I picture of the ISNA website (Iranian students), says more than 1000 words
- The death toll has risen to 98 people and man hundred injured. We are only reporting Iran numbers and no inflated numbers in the Western press. But one thing is sure, 2 M 6+ earthquakes shortly after each other and close to town are always resulting in a lot of misery