Earthquake overview : An extremely dangerous shallow earthquake occurred in the Tabriz Ahar area. The population in this area runs into the millions of people.
Tell us when you think you have felt this earthquake.
Iran-only earthquake list

- We thank ER readers Jens and Mehran for collecting news together with us.

Read also : Understanding the August 11 2012, East Azerbaijan - Iran earthquake
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Update 27/08 - 18:22 UTC
International Federation of Red Cross Information bulletin 7 Overview
Number of aftershocks: More than 1,400 (based on IIS)
Red Cross and Red Crescent action :
Rescue: Number of affected people: 157,403 persons, Number of affected families: 32,525, Accommodated: 104,380 (persons), Rescued persons: 2,607, Injured persons: 1,836, Transferred to the hospitals: 700 persons
Services rendered to the earthquake stricken people : Visiting patients: 7,600 persons, Nursing Services: 5,597 persons, Obstetrics services: 3,027 persons, Psycho-social services: 2,224 persons, WATSAN services: 2,425, Nutrition – consultation services : 399
Distributed NFI: Kitchen set: 3,830 (sets), Water Dispener:11,348 (pcs), Water/oil container (foldable): 15,000 (pcs), Heating light: 7,520 (pcs), Small Light: 4,500 (pcs), Soap: 42,893 (bars), Body bag: 700 (pcs), Tent for prayer: 200 (sets), Hygiene sets: 9,526 sets, Tooth brush: 5,184 (pcs), Family food containers ( Empty ) : 7,400, Tooth paste: 5,136, Hand washing liquid: 408 kg., Washing powder: 3,540 boxes, Bar of soaps: 38,269, Latrines: 1,328, Family notebook: 7,600 (pcs), Ground sheet (moquette): 12,305, Blankets: 37.500,
Distributed Food items: Food basket: 7,400 (pcs), Food package: 393,633 (pieces), Canned fish: 112,104 (tins), Canned bean: 209,629 (tins), Potable water: 110,000 (bottles), Rice: 56,070 kg, Cooking oil: 57,571 kg, Sugar and cubic sugar: 31,000 kg, Tea: 5,300 kg, Cereals: 25,000 kg, Dates: 18,000 kg
Distributed Food and Non Food Items donated by Iranian People: Blanket: 4,764 (pcs), Pillows: 100, Canned food: 11,592 (tins), Mineral Water: 58,871 bottles, Dates: 1,607 kg, Food baskets: 650 packs, Bread: 21,136 loafs, Rice: 30 kg, Hygiene kits: 384 sets, Cloths: 867 sets
International Aid received: With deep IRCS appreciation, the following countries/partners have sent their international assistance to the affected areas until now: Turkey Red Crescent Society, Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, Red Crescent Society of Pakistan, Swiss Government, The Government of Qatar, Nakhchivan autonomous Republic, Humedica of Germany
The IRCS priority for In-kind donation for the ongoing operation:
The needs for the affected areas are as follow: Mobile latrines, Mobil showers, Power generators with different capacity, Water tankers 200 liters and above, Plastic sheet: ( 24 square meters), Family winter tent with 2 covers for winter time, Stove for heating, Solar lamp to be used inside the tent, Sleeping bag
All the needed items could be purchased locally and should be delivered to Tabriz Red Crescent Provincial branch.

Update 27/08 - 17:56 UTC
The government of the Republic of Korea has decided to provide humanitarian aid worth US$200,000. The humanitarian aid by the ROK government will be swiftly provided with a focus on the priority list announced by the Red Crescent Society of Iran and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on August 22, after discussing the method of transfer with the Red Crescent Society in Iran.

Update 24/08 - 13:16 UTC
The government of Japan decided on August 24 to extend grant emergency assistance which is necessary for purchasing prefabricated houses to the government of Iran for the northwest Iran quake. The upper limit of its assistance is up to 90 million Japanese yen (approximately US$1,110,000), according to the press release of Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan.
The government of Japan which deeply appreciated the aid from Iran toward Great East Japan Earthquake has decided to extend this grant assistance, in response to the request of the Government of Islamic Republic of Iran, from a humanitarian point of view and in light of the friendly relations between the two countries. Together with the emergency relief goods (approximately 18 million Japanese yen) which Japan has already provided to Iran, Japanese government has decided the assistance of 108 million Japanese yen in total so far (approximately US $1,330,000) for this earthquake.
On 17th, the government of Japan decided in response to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) emergency relief goods which are mobile toilets (including showers), equivalent to approximately 18 million Japanese yen (approximately US$222,000) in total to Iran, which has sustained serious damage from earthquake in northwest Iran.
On 22th, JICA delivered 100 mobile toilets (including showers) to Iranian Red Crescent Society. (source JICA and IRNA)

Image courtesy Iranian Red Crescent - building up relief tents

Very Important Update 23/08 - 10:34 UTC
Below an overview of the August 22 situation report of the International Federation of Red Cross
- Number of aftershocks: 1365 between 5.3 and 2.5 M (based on International Institute for Seismology)
- Number of cities affected: 5 (Varzaghan, Haris, Ahar, Tabri, caliber)
- Number of villages affected: 399
- Damage percentage: 356 villages between 30- 100%, 46 villages 100%
- Number of the destroyed houses above 60%: 11,908
- Death toll: 306 persons
- Number of the supportive provinces: 15

The majority of the deaths and injuries have occurred in rural areas. 399 villages have been affected, 46 of which have been completely flattened. The towns of Heris and Varzaqan, believed to be the epicenter, in East Azerbaijan province, were among those that suffered the most severe casualties. As per latest from the field, during relief & rescue operation in affected zones, 1,161 relief workers from 102 teams were involved, provided with the necessary equipment, 97 Ambulances, 53 rescue vehicles, 20 life detector sets, 19 teams of sniffer dogs dispatched to the ruined areas and 102,512 persons have been sheltered. Also 2,607 persons were rescued, 1,836 injured were treated 771 persons were rescued from the debris.
Number of Population Affected: 157,403 (34,200 families): Varzeghan: 42,000 persons (9,500 families), Ahar: 67,000 persons (14,200 families), Heris or Haris: 40,000 (9,300 families), Tabriz: 8,403 (1,200 families), Varzeghan: 43%, Ahar: 38% and Heris: 17%

Red Cross and Red Crescent action :
Staff and Equipment deployed: Relief & Rescue teams: 102 (1,161 relied workers), Ambulance: 97, Relief & Rescue vehicles: 53, Helicopter: 5, Bio radar (life saving) sets: 20 and Sniffer dogs: 19
Air Relief Operation: Helicopter: 6, Number of flights: 169, Total flight time: 113 hrs., Consignment transported: 33 tons, Staff transported: 979 persons, Injured people transferred: 130 persons
Total Items Distributed: Distributed NFI: Family tent: 25,628 (from provincial branches) + 18,875 (East-Azerbaijan stock), Ground sheet (moquette): 12,305 (pcs), Blanket: 37,500 (pcs), Kitchen set: 3,830 (sets), Water Dispener:11,348 (pcs), Water/oil container (foldable): 15,000 (pcs), Heating light: 7,520 (pcs), Small Light: 4,500 (pcs), Soap: 38,269 (bars), Body bag: 700 (pcs), Tent for prayer: 200 (sets), Hygiene sets: 5,000 sets, Tooth brush: 5,184 (pcs), Family food containers ( Empty ) : 7,400, Tooth paste: 5,136, Hand washing liquid: 423 (pcs), Washing powder: 3,540 boxes, Bar of soaps: 38,269, Latrines: 1,264 and Family notebook: 7,600 (pcs)
Distributed Food items: Food basket: 7,400 (pcs), Food package: 360,395 (pieces), Canned fish: 112,104 (tins), Canned bean: 209,629 (tins), Potable water: 110,000 (bottles), Rice: 56,070 kg, Cooking oil: 57,571 kg, Sugar and cubic sugar: 31,000 kg, Tea: 5,300 kg, Cereals: 25,000 kg and Dates: 18,000 kg
Distributed Food and Non Food Items donated by Iranian People: Blanket: 4,764 (pcs), Pillows: 100, Canned food: 11,592 (tins), Mineral Water: 58,871 bottles, Dates: 1,607 kg, Food baskets: 650 packs, Bread: 21,136 loafs, Rice: 30 kg, Hygiene kits: 384 sets and Cloths: 867 sets

International Aid received:
With deep IRCS appreciation, the following countries/partners have sent their international assistance to the affected areas until now: Turkey Red Crescent Society, Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, Red Crescent Society of Pakistan, Swiss Government, The Government of Qatar, Nakhchivan autonomous Republic, Humedica of Germany

The IRCS priority for In-kind donation for the ongoing operation:
The needs for the affected areas are as follow: Mobile latrines, Mobile showers, Power generators with different capacities, Prefabricated houses, Water tankers (200 litters and above), Plastic sheets: ( 24 square meters), Family winter tents with 2 covers for winter time, Stoves for heating, Solar lamps to be used inside the tents, Radio transistors and Sleeping bags
All the needed items could be purchased locally and should be delivered to Tabriz Red Crescent Provincial branch.

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Update 22/08 - 15:34 UTC
The 3 maps (more like posters) below are screenshots of very detailed PDF maps from devisions of the United Nations like the World Food Program. The maps are showing in great details the kind of terrain, roads in the area, number of inhabitants per square km, etc etc. Very interesting information for those who like to have a better view at the earthquake area. Click on a map to open the corresponding PDF

Map courtesy ISCGM

Image courtesy ISCGM

Poster courtesy World Food Program

Update 22/08 - 07:48 UTC
- United States of America, one of the most critical countries of the world versus aid to Iran has put aside his feelings and allows Funds Transfers Related to Earthquake Relief Efforts, To or For the Benefit of Persons in Iran Authorized until October 5, 2012 (we will be curious if Iran would accept this aid, we truly hope they will)
- As their caravan of private cars drove north along the Tehran-Tabriz highway, following the five trucks they had filled up with relief goods for the victims of the deadly double earthquake that struck northern Iran this month, a group of young Iranians — a mix of hipsters, off-road motor club members and children of affluent families — felt like rebels with a cause. Read more ....

Update 21/08 - 10:33 UTC
Below a thumbnail of a Situation map of Ahar, Iran. The city has now many camps which are all indicated on the High-Defination satellite picture. We advise our users to take a look at how this 80000 inhabitants city, which has narrowly escaped a big devastation as the epicenter was only a few tens of km's away from it. To watch the high definition poster/image, click on the image below.

Update 21/08 - 09:50 UTC
The YouTube video below is a animation of pictures from the earthquake area. The images speak for themselves. Western interest in this "evil country" earthquake faded away fastly as we could monitor in our report statistics. Hard to believe that there are only 306 fatalities due to this earthquake. International massive support would have been really needed (both from Governments and from Private people). This earthquake is a real disaster and people (decimated families and orphans) will have to live with the scars in the future.
NGO's would have been able to do a great job working alongside the local authorities, but macho culture (we can do it alone or only with the help of some friendly nations) is preventing more aid to the area. Earthquake aid is not about politics but all about being just human !

Update 20/08 - 20:21 UTC
On Saturday, Swiss Humanitarian Aid dispatched 40 tonnes of emergency relief materials to the earthquake region in north-western Iran. Among other items, the air shipment comprised 200 tents, 200 tent insulation accessories, 200 heaters, 2000 blankets, and basic medical supplies calculated to serve the needs of 10,000 persons for a three month period. The air freight shipment was expected to land on Saturday evening in Tabriz.
Two logistics experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) are accompanying the shipment of humanitarian goods representing a total value of around CHF 500,000. The relief materials will provide 1000 persons with shelter for the rapidly approaching winter period. This is of crucial importance as in the earthquake region, temperatures can already sink below the freezing point by next month.
The four-man Rapid Response Team that left for Tabriz on 16 August to prepare for the delivery of the relief supplies, began their work on 17 August. The four experts immediately held discussions with representatives of the Iranian Red Crescent, the Organization responsible for coordinating measures to respond to the crisis. They then went to visit a severely damaged village located at the epicentre of the earthquake. The four experts are also on site to receive the delivery of relief materials from Switzerland, to ensure their transmission to the Red Crescent, and to provide advice and assistance in the use of the materials, primarily, in the setting up of the tents.

Image courtesy armanonline.ir

Important Update 19/08 - 17:56 UTC
- The Government of Iran has continued to provide relief assistance to the people affected by the earthquakes of 11 August 2012, in collaboration with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and local charity organizations. Neighboring provinces are contributing to the assistance efforts. Donations have been provided by the public. Most affected villages have received the most basic needs, with the exception of those of difficult access. Do we have helicopters these days ?? (ER)
- The region is among the coldest of the country and winter starts very soon. In view of that, the government has announced that it will start recovery and reconstruction activities very soon. The Supreme Leader has issued a decree stating that the reconstruction should be completed two months before winter arrives.
- A UN team landed in the capital of East Azerbaijan Province, Tabriz, and met with the local authorities to discuss most critical needs and explore ways for the UN to support national efforts. The team also conducted field visits in the areas surrounding Tabriz.
- As many as 365 villages, out of a total of 537 in the affected area, are heavily damaged (between 50% and 80%) and 46 villages are completely devastated. The death toll continues to stand at 300 based on official records and the number of injured remains at the same level (2,600 persons) compared to the previous report. Overall, more than 50,000 persons have been resettled in tents.
- The only hospital in Heris, which is located 73 kilometers to the east of Tabriz, has been completely demolished and its equipment is no longer operational. Heris, which has 9,500 inhabitants, is the capital of a county that has a population of approximately 70,000 people. People who require treatment are referred to a mobile hospital erected by the Ministry of Health or to hospitals in Tabriz.
- The local authorities indicated that they have established 32 Psycho social and welfare centers to give counseling services to the affected population, with particularly attention to the orphans and the handicapped. Official sources indicate that 40 orphans have become heads of household due to the death of both parents. Support may be needed in the area of mental health.
- Appropriate waste disposal is required in the temporary resettlement areas. Wastes are often left in the open, exposing affected populations to secondary hazards, such as water contamination and communicable diseases. Remnants of dead animals could also become a major threat to the affected population.
- Adequate sanitation facilities and water for personal hygiene are also urgently needed. Latrines and mobile showers are particularly required. Local authorities said that 50 mobile toilets have been established and 1,300 are expected to arrive soon.
- As many as 1,000 cattle and 7,000 sheep have reportedly been killed in the region affected by the earthquakes. In one single village (Choopanlar), 200 sheep were killed by collapsing material. Forage for animals and fencing are required.
- As most of the affected population work in the agricultural sector, cash assistance, seeds and tools are needed to help them restore their livelihoods. Measures are also needed to preserve food security in the affected areas.
Courtesy OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)

Update 18/08 - 08:28 UTC
- Comment from Salar Nikkar out of Ahar received this morning via our comment section : I am actually in the area right now,its the only time within these days that I’m having some free time. Ahar is actually being invaded by hundreds of aftershocks, in addition I have to mention that these aftershocks take place in depths like 3 or 4 Km’s and the greatest one was 5.2 M’s. I’ve seen generous actions though, and I believe this place isn’t going to be safe for a couple of months.
- the Government of Japan decided to provide emergency relief goods to the Islamic Republic of Iran through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in response to the request from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Update 17/08 - 13:58 UTC
Germany is to send medical relief for the victims of Saturday's powerful twin earthquakes in northwestern Iran, the German Foreign Ministry announced here on Friday. It is our compassionate duty to provide humanitarian help to those people who are in distress. They need our solidarity following Saturday's terrible earthquake catastrophe, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in a press statement.
German quake relief is to include medical and hygienic supplies. Berlin is also contemplating to set up mobile clinics in the quake-ravaged areas.
A German medical team departed Monday for the quake-stricken region.
Organized by Berlin-based Iranian engineer Cyrus Ghiasi, the four-member team of the non-governmental medical aid organization, humedica, was providing medical assistance to the survivors of the devastating earthquake.

Update 17/08 09:15 UTC
A lot op people have no idea how an earthquake shakes their lives. Almost every major earthquake is followed by many aftershocks which everyone knows where they start but never where they end. There can always be a new devastating shockwave amid the many weaker ones. The map below, courtesy our colleagues from eqarchives, shows the location of the two 6.1 mb main quakes and the series of 144 aftershocks for the first 72 hours as estimated by the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, Iran (IIEES)

Aftershock locations and strength - image courtesy eqarchives - Click on this image to watch the Dynamic scalable map

Aftershocks Timeline vs strength

Aftershock Timeline and strength - image courtesy eqarchives

Update 17/08 09:10 UTC
Armenian (cross border) Earthquake Survivors Complain About Authorities' Response
When Iran was hit by devastating twin earthquakes on August 11, neighbor Armenia was quick to offer its help and extend condolences for the more than 300 victims. But Armenians affected by the aftershocks say their government has all but ignored them.
Locals in Varkhavar, one of the villages in southern Armenia that sustained damage, say they have been left to fend for themselves. Read more ...

Red Crescent volunteers and staff teaming to provide the most vulnerable people with relief items. Source: IRCS

Important update 16/08 15:30 UTC
The content of this update is based on the Red Crescent report issued on August 16 :
The Red Crescent Society of Islamic Republic of Iran (IRCS), has determined that external assistance is not required at this moment, and is therefore not seeking funding or other assistance from donors and the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at this time.
- Number of aftershocks so far: 297 between M2.5 and M5.3
- Number of cities affected: 4 (Varzaghan or Varzghan, Haris or Heris, Ahar, Tabriz)
- Number of villages affected: 353 villages (damage in between 30% and 100%)
- Fatalities : 306 (no change since a couple of days)
- The majority of the deaths and injuries have occurred in rural areas. 306 villages have been affected, six of which have been completely flattened. The towns of Haris and Varzaqan, believed to be the epicentre, in East Azerbaijan province, were among those that suffered the most severe casualties. Many people have sustained crush injuries, fractures and broken bones are being transported to local hospitals.
- As per latest from the field, IRCS’ Relief & Rescue Organization, in cooperation with other relevant authorities, have been doing their utmost and with the help of 1,080 relief workers coming from 92 teams and backed up by necessary equipment, have sheltered a total of 73,516 people so far. Rescue operations are now completed and have entered to early recovery phase. The most eminent field needs today, and which will be met by IRC and the national authorities, are as follows: Pre-fab houses suitable to host one family, Mobile field latrines and showers and Generators
Action details :
Rescue : Number of affected people: 157,403 persons, Ahar (67,000), Varzaghan (42,000), Haris (40,000), Tabriz (8,403); Number of affected families: 32,525; Accommodated: 73,516 (persons); Rescued persons: 2,607; Injured persons: 1,380; Transferred to the hospitals: 700 persons
Items distributed : Family tents: 18,379 (sets); Body bag: 700 (pieces); Relief Package: 21,450 (sets); Food package: 275,143 (pieces); Blanket: 28,000 (pieces); Ground sheet (moquette): 12,085 (pieces); Heating light: 2,520 (pieces); Coleman water cooler: 6,204 (pieces); Lantern: 4,500 (pieces): Kitchen set: 3,830 (pieces); Canned food: 321,733 (tins); Potable water: 110,000 (bottles); Washing powder: 30,000 (cartons); Bar of soaps: 33,853 (pieces); Rice: 50,000 kg; cooking oil: 21,850 kg; Sugar and cubic sugar: 31,000 kg; Tea: 300 kg; Cereals: 25,000 kg; Date: 18,000 kg
Staff and Equipment deployed: Relief & Rescue teams: 92 (1,080 persons); Ambulance: 97; Relief & Rescue vehicles: 53; Helicopter: 5; Bio radar (life saving) sets: 20; Sniffer dogs: 20
Air relief operations : Helicopter: 5; Number of flights: 36; Total flight time: 26 hrs.; Consignment transported: 5 tons; Staff transported: 105 persons (15 medical, 90 relief workers, media and authorities)
- Ayatollah Khamenei on Thursday visited the quake-stricken areas in the East Azarbijan Province, northwestern Iran.

Update 16/08 - 14:00 UTC
Earlier today, Swiss Humanitarian Aid dispatched a four-man team of experts to the earthquake region in north-western Iran to carry out a fact-finding mission and, together with the Iranian authorities and the Iranian Red Crescent, to prepare for the distribution of emergency relief materials.
At the same times, measures were being undertaken to prepare for the air transport of winter-proof relief supplies for 1000 persons to the earthquake region as rapidly as possible.
The relief items primarily concern tents, tent insulation and heating apparatus, blankets, and field kitchens.

Update 15/08 - 20:11 UTC
- At 21:19 local time, a new powerful M5.3 earthquake occurred at 34 km from Ahar and 49 km from Tabriz. These aftershocks will go on for some time. When compared to the earthquake of Van Turkey, aftershocks in and near Van continued for months and ran into the thousands (hundreds have been felt by the population).

Update 15/08 - 11:18 UTC
- Two Pakistan Air Force aircraft carrying relief goods for Iranians affected in the recent quake landed in Iran on Tuesday. Another flight was said to be on its way on Tuesday night, carrying tents, blankets and mats, the spokesman for Pakistan Embassy in Tehran, M.M. Jafari, said. Pakistan was one of the first countries to send relief goods after two quakes ravaged parts of north-west Iran that left more than 300 people dead, over 2,000 injured and thousands homeless. (courtesy dawn group of newspapers)
- Humanitarian assistance from the government of Azerbaijan included 3000 blankets, 1000 sleeping sets, 460 tents, 40 tons of flour, 20 tons of rice, 9 tons of tea, 10 tons of sugar, 19 tons of oil, 10 tons of pasta, as well as juices, water and other essential food .

Update 15/08 - 07:47 UTC
At a moment that we see people turning away their attention from the Iran earthquake, more footage of the scene is published. The Al Jazeera video below shows a terrible destruction in a village in East Azerbaijan. This is only 1 of the villages, there are a lot more like this one. No words to describe the tragedy. Not one stone stayed upright in this traditional village. This area had no devastating earthquakes for hundreds of years (similar to the Emilia Rpmagna, Italy earthquake). Houses were build from brick and clay and were of course not build with earthquake resistant methods, because they are very old and also because these are poor farming communities.
Below the rubble are still people and livestock buried. With summer temperatures in Iran rising into the 30's C° (+100 F), the reporter tells in the video that the smell of disintegrating corpses is already there and accordingly the chance on contagious diseases like cholera, typhus, etc increases by the hour.

Update 14/08 - 23:00 UTC :
- The Iranian government was criticized regarding its relief efforts. The decision to stop the search for survivors after 24 hours was based on a government assessment that all survivors had been rescued from the rubble; an unnamed local doctor disputed the likelihood of that assessment, based on the remoteness of some villages. A lack of tents for the homeless was cited by members of the Iranian parliament. The state television of Iran (IRIB) was criticized in an editorial in the Asr-e Iran newspaper for its perceived lack of news coverage of the quake. In an Iranian parliament meeting on August 13, 2012, regional parliament members questioned the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, for not visiting the area and for not announcing public mourning. That day, Iran announced two days of public mourning.
- A day after the quakes, more than 36,000 people had been given emergency shelter, and the Iranian government had dispatched nearly 100 ambulances, 1,100 Red Crescent workers, 44,000 food packages and 5,600 tents. According to Red Crescent officials, more than 1,000 villages were affected by the disaster, and at least 5,000 people were injured. Hospitals in the region's major cities were overcrowded and struggling to cope with the large number of people waiting for treatment.

Update 14/08 - 15:15 UTC :
- As predicted and expected yesterday, the aftershocks in the Ahar - East Azebaijan area will go on for some time. Now and then stronger events will take place like this afternoon's 14:02 UTC M5.1 aftershock. These kind of aftershocks are not really embarrassing at normal times, but put together in a cocktail with already ready to collapse buildings and recue personnel still working in the rubble, these events are really dangerous. So, once more our utmost appreciation to the many SAR (Search and Rescue) personnel working in the earthquake zone.

An Earthquake-Report.com proposal (based on our continuous earthquake reporting)
A swift international helping hand or not ?
This article has been written as a general remark and has nothing to do with Iran. It should be read as applicable to Tajikistan, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Croatia, Serbia, etc etc etc. the Iran earthquake was only a pretext to write it.
Let us "please" make an end at "we can do it alone" and "we do not need any assistance" in case of dramatic devastating events. What we have seen at earthquake-report.com in approx. 2 years of reporting irritates us endlessly. Often we see from minutes after an earthquake happens, that it will be a damaging one (based on geological layers and historic events).
A lot of countries are behaving like "super-macho's" in thinking that they can do it all themselves. Often we see that they do a lot but far from everything that should be done swiftly. Authorities are publishing clean great numbers and opposition parties are hammering on everything which is done wrong. After an earthquake there is NO PLACE whatsoever in behaving like that. Action and more precisely swift action is all what is needed.
Many countries (even developing countries) have the most specialized people (SAR, medical aid, volunteers, donators, etc) who work relentless almost 24 hours a day to help victims. They should be offered a "gold medal" for their attitude. Most of the problems though are linked to organizational problems, often inspired by bureaucratic behavior and politics.
Medium and long term aid are currently well organized by some United Nations organizations.
Swift almost instant SAR and ASSESSMENT help is however a big problem as long as no SUPRA-NATIONAL authority is formed which has IMMEDIATE ENTRY (without embarrassing paper work) in every UNITED NATIONS member country in the world.
Our plea is to form as soon as possible an international team of specialized dedicated personnel taking the first civilian plane to the nearest accessible airport and to let these people help in SAR operations. These people can immediately be dispatched to remote villages with army helicopters (yes, why not !).
Organizing such a supra-national force does not looks that difficult. A SAR worker in Japan, Russia or Turkey uses almost the same methods and bringing them a couple of times together in a year (peanuts versus the cost of the damage during an earthquake) would make them as a real team.
Every earthquake sensitive country can easily reserve 5 to 20 SAR specialized people who can be ready in a couple of hours (with their search dogs). Only this way the earthquake victims at some "not so developed" nations will have a chance to survive. Current SAR aid often arrives days after the earthquake struck and this is far too late to save the lives of people.
We see this as a task for the United Nations. A simple call from the leaders of a country to the crisis cell at the UN will enable political-free aid within 24 hours. The people at earthquake scenes like East Azerbaijan can only dream about such freedom fighters!
Armand Vervaeck - Founder Earthquake-Report.com

Update 14/08 - 10:55 UTC :
- The number of fatalities reported officially has "freezed" to 306. As happens often in Iranian earthquakes, at a certain moment the numbers are no longer updated.
- It has surprised us that many different press sources in Iran have been reporting independent from each other, resulting in other numbers and even some criticizing of the way the earthquake aid was handled.
- The Iranian government has changed his policy and is ready to accept foreign aid
- Iranians are going in high numbers to hospitals to donate blood for the victims of the East Azerbaijan earthquake. Click here to watch a video of the blood donation

Update 13/08 - 17:20 UTC :
- The cost of the double earthquake in Eastern Azerbaijan is estimated to be at least 650 million US$
- More images of the earthquake

Update 13/08 - 17:20 UTC :
- New earthquake data released by the authorities are talking about 308 fatalities. Amongst them 219 Woman and children!
- The aftershocks are continuing to strike the area. They are gradually becoming weaker, but a much stronger one (+M5) cannot be excluded. These aftershocks are horrible for the local population as they are the main reason why people do not dear to return to their houses.
- The series of 3 Al Jazeera videos below are chosen because of their high quality reporting. As specialists in the area, they do know better than anybody else how to cover such a dramatic event.

Update 13/08 - 08:19 UTC :
- The emergency and aid operations in the hard hit earthquake area are not running as smoothly as we are used to report from Iranian earthquakes. Even in the Iranian press, a lot of reports are stating that the distribution of aid is "mismanaged" or "poor". A lot of goodwill is being showed by the entire nation and even more by the not so hard hit part of Eastern Azerbaijan and the neighboring provinces, but the aif does not reach the most needed fast enough.
- Iranian geophysicist and seismologist Bahram Akashesh said on Sunday that in developed countries, earthquakes with a magnitude of the ones that hit East Azerbaijan cause only six injuries and not hundreds injured and more than 200 dead. Unfortunately, there is still no rule requiring that buildings constructed in villages be relatively quake-resistant. Only over the last few years has it been the case that people are required to observe building codes when they build houses in villages using bank loans, although they are still not observing the codes efficiently. Precautionary measures against quakes should be taken beforehand, and successive governments are to blame for the large loss of life.
- People in Tabriz, the capital of East Azarbaijan Province, stand in line to donate blood to those suffered injuries in the quakes. (image below)
- approx. 5000 buildings have been damaged.
- people affected by the earthquakes have been provided with temporary shelters and food supplies.
- Of the 538 villages in East Azerbaijan, 110 villages sustained about 40 to 100 percent damage.
- powerful aftershocks are continuing to rattle the already hardest hit area
- a series of new images showing not only the devastation but also the incredible sadness of people who have lost their dearest

People are waiting in a Tabriz hspital to donate blood for the hardest hit area - Image courtesy and copyright Mehr Iran

Update 12/08 - 23:50 UTC :
- No new fatalities data
- 2 men have been rescued from under the rubble after being buried for more than 21 hours
- the East Azerbaijan Ayatollah's have called for 2 days of mourning (Monday and Tuesday) to remember those killed by the earthquake
- a mother has given birth in a field hospital after the earthquake. Mother and child are in good health

Update 12/08 - 14:50 UTC :
- While authorities are still holding on 250 fatalities, other sources are talking about at least 300 and the number may be even higher as many bodies have been buried without legally registering them, a doctor working in an emergency team said. Muslims are burying their people very soon after they are passed away and this may be the reason that families in remote villages are acting swiftly as they are used to do in normal life. Many villages have also been completely isolated from the rest of the region and with no authorities at hand it sounds normal that people behave like this.

Update 12/08 - 14:40 UTC :
- According to the latest reports, 60 villages have suffered damages ranging between 50 to 80 percent.
- People close to the emergency services in East Azebaijan are now talking about 5000 injured (source ISNA)
- Many world leaders (Putin, Erdogan, etc) have condoled Iran for the cruel earthquake
- 6 villages have been completely destroyed. The roads to four villages in the region have been cut.
- A reduced number of people are still under the rubble
- A gas conduit has cracked in Ahar
- The earthquakes were also felt in the neighboring provinces of West Azerbaijan, Zanjan, Ardebil, and Gilan.
- The earthquakes were also felt in the neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan
- 15 tons of food is send to East Azebaijan from the province of West Azerbaijan
- Ardebil hospitals have been used to treat the wounded people from the hardest hit areas
- A donation bank account has been opned by the authorities. Iranians have been asked to donate
- Damage has been reported in no less than 237 villages!
- Yesterday and today have been declared "mourning days" in East Azerbaijan
- Another set of pictures from the damaged areas
- Iranian red crescent is not accepting international aid at this moment. Iranians are very skilled in earthquake emergency anddue to the current political circumstances are even more reluctant in accepting foreign aid. This may not surprise as also the Turkish government refused aid from abroad during the first days of the Van earthquake. The behavior may however change soon and mostly aid is accepted from friendly nations.
- We have not seen them yet, but tens of SAR dogs have been allocated to the earthquake zone.

Update 12/08 - 14:30 UTC
We are warning our readers that the video below is very cruel to see, but what you will be seeing here is the real story behind a cruel earthquake. One of immense tragedy !

Update 12/08 - 09:07 UTC : East Azerbaijan official earthquake data
Director General of East Azarbaijan Crisis Staff pointed out that the unofficial death toll is around 300 people.
According to official statistics, 227 people have died so far and 1380 people have been treated for various injuries.
Heris, 125 killed and 280 people were injured
Ahar and Varzghan Counties, respectively, 40 and 65 people were killed and 500 to 600 people are injured.
Asked whether he could comment on the unofficial numbers of death and injured, the director said : "these numbers are unofficial"
- It looks like various press sources have started to inflate the numbers again. These are not necessarily forged numbers but are often due to double counting etc. The numbers we have published so far (also the unofficial) are coming from various National Iranian press sources.

Update 12/08 - 09:07 UTC :
-The death toll could have been far greater than we see at the moment because the rural population was harvesting lentils at the time outside, so many people were not killed in the main affected villages!

Update 12/08 - 08:29 UTC :
- We are truly happy to see a lot of Iran people surfing to our pages. We work for the world, but of course most for people in the suffering nation. We also invite you to send us information, pictures or whatever information which makes this report more complete. Please send your email to [email protected]

Update 12/08 - 08:29 UTC :
- More images from the destructed area. The image below is copyright and courtesy mehrnews.com. Click on the image to go to the mahrnews.com page containing a lot more images (we remind our readers that some of these images are confronting!)

Image courtesy and copyright mehrnews.com

Update 12/08 - 08:15 UTC :
- 142 bodies have been identified so far
- authorities do expect the death toll to rise to 300 later today
- we find it really disgusting that some people are publishing content and videos enjoying the earthquake in "evil Iran"
- Ahar, the biggest city in the hardest hit area (84000 inhabitants) is located 20 km of the epicenter and has also suffered tens of victims.

Update 12/08 - 08:06 UTC :
- Western media are still talking about villages who have been destroyed. We repeat that this area is very populated and towns like Varzghan and Ahar can hardly be called villages, but are towns!
- Some reports are also reporting gas explosions in Ahar, probably because of broken gas pipes (happens often in devastating earthquakes)
- 25000 people are living in the villages surrounding the bigger cities in the hardest hit areas
- Some of these villages could not be reached because of impassable roads and broken bridges. The Iranian government is deploying as much people as they can to help in the rescue operations

Update 12/08 - 07:47 UTC :
- We appreciated a lot how well trained rescue services have rescued people from below the rubble.
- The governor of the East Azerbaijan province has visited the epicenter area
- We encounter the same destruction as in Van Turkey last year (same corner of the world). Some buildings have collapsed and others are still standing. When looking carefully at still standing buildings in Ahar and elsewhere, we see the always returning problems of owners buildings more floors on each other (vertical profiles above the ground floor). This kind of building style reveals no earthquake resistant methods are used.

Destruction in one of the villages captured by a Gulf Air observation flight - image courtesy and copyright FARS

Update 12/08 - 04:41UTC :
ISNA is reporting that the death toll has risen to over 250 with 2000 injured. The death toll is expected to rise in the coming hours.

Update 12/08 - 00:39 UTC :
More pictures from the earthquake area

Update 22:59 UTC :
182 people have been killed in today's earthquake (intermediate toll as this number will certainly climb further tomorrow)
29 afterschocks of M4 or more have added to the misery of the earthquake. Aftershocks are very dangerous for further collapses of unstable buildings.
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

Image courtesy and copyright IRNA, Iran news agency

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.

Update 21:20 UTC :
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.

Update 21:00 UTC : According to the report of Presidential Office website, the Iran cabinet members expressed their deep sorrow over the earthquake incident which has caused so many people to die, and expressed sympathy with victims' families. The government called on all natural disaster headquarters and responsible bodies to mobilize all their possibilities and releif equipment and provide quake-stricken areas with all kinds of necessary assistance.

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.

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

1 image says more than 1000 words ! - image courtesy and copyright ISNA, Iran

Hospital teams are treating the injured - image courtesy and copyright FARS, Iran

Very Important update 18:33 UTC
Fars is now reporting 87 dead and 600 injured.
60 villages have sustained 50%-80% damages and 4 villages 100% damages.We truly do not want to show you the pictures of the many killed people (woman, children, men, a really awful view).

Very Important update 18:00 UTC
Iran authorities are reporting at least 40+ killed by this earthquake and 500 injured. The injured have been transfered to Ardebil and Tabriz emergency centers. Help is being sought from neighboring provinces. Heavy traffic in Tabriz-Ahar artery.
95 emergency mobile centers have been dispatched to Ahar, Haris, and Varzghan.

Important update 15:34 UTC : An Earthquake-Report.com reader is writing us from Tabriz : Earthquake happened twice about 2 hours ago. everyone is out in streets roaming to find somewhere secure to stay because of fear of more earthquakes.
The good news is that in Tabriz telecommunications are working well. Good news to hear. Tabriz is approx. 50 km from the epicenter. Our fear goes for communities within a radius of 20 km around Verzeghan.

Image courtesy and copyright Fars, Iran

Update 15:24 UTC : Well informed Iranian media are reporting that at least 50 people have been injured. More reports will be streaming in the following hours. Please keep an eye on this site to be informed the best possible way.
Appeal to Iranians in the earthquake area : Please fill in our I Have Felt It form in the list below, so that other people can read what you have witnessed, Thank you on behalf of our readers.

Update 15:18 UTC : Since the mainshock, we have noticed 9 major aftershocks

Update 14:43 UTC : If the epicenter of this earthquake would be confirmed close or below Varzeghan (Varzgan or Vrzqan), we have to point out that the area looks a soft soil area with farming fields all over. Combined with the building styles of th older houses, this makes a very dangerous cocktail.

Update 14:32 UTC : This earthquake has of course been felt all over the province and further on like even the neighboring countries (see their experience reports below).
- Iran media are saying that some Mobile connections are still working and that there are a lot of people with broken bones who are currently transported to hospitals. We will need a couple more hours before we will have a better view of the damage impact. Varzeghan is definitely the most dangerous location (if epicenter data are right).

Update 14:29 UTC : The city of Varzeghan is reported by Iran media as the epicenter of this earthquake. Varzeghan or Varzgan is not a small village but rather a small town (see satellite image below).

Satellite image of the city of Varzeghan (Varzgan, vrzgan) epicenter of the August 11 2012 Iran earthquake

Important update 14:12 UTC : ER reader Mehran comments that Mehr news is reporting heavy damage to clay housing, victims transferred to hospitals, and the epicenter is reported to be the village of Varzgan.

Update 14:07 UTC : Emergency evaluation teams have been send to Tabriz and Ahar were telecommunications and power have been cut. Iran has very good organized emergency and SAR teams and can handle a lot of damaging earthquakes with their own troops and material. Earthquake-Report.com evaluates Iran earthquake response as one of the best in the world!

Update 13:54 UTC : Mobile telecommunication problems in Tabriz. Panic but no reports of damage or casualties yet. Iran has one of lowest attenuation q values meaning that seismic waves attenuate or diminish faster with distance than other parts of the world.

Update 13:53 UTC : USGS has just updated his Iran report and comes now with at least 6000 people who will have experienced the super dangerous Severe shaking (MMI VIII) and 186000 people having received a very strong shaking (MMI VII)

Satellite view of Ahar, Iran a city with 85000 inhabitants and close to the epicenter - image courtesy Google and its contributors

Important update 13:43 UTC : WAPMERR, the theoretical earthquake damage engine, has calculated that based on the Geofon earthquake data and epicenter, 100 to 500 deaths may be expected. Our experience with Geofon is that this estimate will be hopefully reviewed to lower numbers (like often elsewhere). WAPMERR is however an indication that this earthquake is a really dangerous one!

U has calculated (based on pdate 13:42 UTC : In 1727, many many people were killed. in the 1860s and 1880s destructive quakes around this magnitude caused death tolls around 200. No less than 30 damaging earthquakes have occurred in the region from the database.

Update 13:38 UTC : In 1779 more than 10000 people were killed in a double M6.5, M7.7 earthquake

Update : Wikipedia write the following about Ahar : Ahar (Persian: اهر) is a city in and the capital of Ahar County, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 85,782, in 20,844 families. Ahar is known on the market place for its Ahar rugs. Ahar is one of the ancient cities of Azarbayjan, its name before islam was "meimad", after presentation of islam this city has been named "ahar" or "ahrich" that was chief town of region Garadagh. Ahar in Arabic means "Ash tree". Ash (Vaan) is a tree that was abundant in Ahar region. In the 12th-13th centuries, Ahar was a minor and short-lived, but prosperous emirate ruled by the Pishteginid dynasty of Georgian origin (1155—1231).

Update 13:36 UTC : In 634, 863, 1042.. Etc. James Daniell CATDAT database reveals regular destructive quakes in the greater Tabriz area.

Update 13:30 UTC : Since the mainshock we have noticed already 4 aftershocks with a Magnitude greater than 4!

Update 13:26 UTC : One of the main concerns when earthquakes occur are Nuclear Plants and Hydrodams, which can generate additional misery. We are happy to tell you that there are no Nuclear plants in the area and the closest hydrodam at at +150 km, a safe distance as these dams are constructed to withstand very strong earthquakes.

Update 13:25 UTC : Iran is a country with a lot of press but with only limited open press channels, which means in our case that information only arrives in small portions and after quite long time.

Update 13:22 UTC : Earthquake-Report.com calls a radius of 25 around the epicenter to a very high damage risk area. The city of Ahar is included in this radius and will surely suffer a lot of damage (if the preliminary epicenter data are correct). A lot will be dependent of the time that the heavy shaking has lasted. If more than 30 seconds, then we expect a lot of damage, especially close to the epicenter.

The earthquake occurred in the highly populated region of Azarbayjan-e Khavari in Iran. The earthquake happened 53km from Tabriz. The nearest populated places are: Div Jabbar (17km), 'Abd ol Jabbar (17km), Abasabad (18km), Sarand (16km), Qez Qapan (18km), Shahsavar (16km), Jeqah (14km), Kivich (15km), Afshord (17km), Hoseynabad (12km), Valilu (20km), Tazeh Kand (17km), Harzanaq (10km), Chay Kandi (6km), Chakhmakh-bulag-Ashagi (5km), Gomeshabad (18km), Burun Daraq (16km), Khalaf Ansar (13km), Ashghaloo (12km), Kolanbar (4km), Golijeh (10km), Qezeljeh (9km), Mirza 'ali Kandi (4km), Ushdelaq (20km), Mesrov (7km), Gowyjeh Soltan (7km), Zangabad (8km), Dowpeyehabad (11km), Dizaj (9km), Abkhara (17km), Deyjeh Soltan (12km), Kaslan (20km), Chasin (15km), Agakyandy (15km), Dashkasan (20km), Chaychzeleh (17km), Alavi (17km), Yashel (17km), Alcheh Gheshlagh (19km). The closest civilian airport is Tabriz (52km).

Update 13:13 UTC : We have no record of historical earthquakes close to the current epicenter. A 2002 earthquake with a Magnitude of 6.5 at a distance of +300 km from the current epicenter was unfortunately deadly for 227 people. In other words we think this is really a dangerous earthquake.
Luckily most people will have been out of their houses at the time of the quake.

Update 13:07 UTC : The earthquake area is currently rattled by many aftershocks which may even go up to M5 or more. The most recent one had a magnitude of M4.7!
- EMSC, the European seismological agency reports a Magnitude of M6.2 for the first one and M5.9 for the second one. The depth of the first quake has been measured at 10 km, the second at 80 km (which we do not believe to be true).

Shaking map based on a Magnitude of 6.2 and a depth of 9.7 km - image courtesy USGS

Important update 13:00 UTC : The first M6.2 earthquake was followed 11 minutes later by an even stronger M6.3 aftershock. This second earthquake had a slightly different epicenter.

Based on preliminary data a strong to very strong earthquake happened a few minutes ago in Western Iran.
We are currently collecting more material and will report accordingly
Preliminary epicenter at 60 km from Tabriz. Tabriz has a population if 1.4 million people). Tabriz is not too close to the epicenter, wo damage, if any, will be moderate
The closest city to the epicenter is however Ahar, a city with a population of 94348 (latest census).
Theoretical intensity calculations are expecting very strong to severe shaking in the epicenter area.
We will start-up an in-depth article as soon as possible.

Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : M6.2
UTC Time : Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 12:23:17 UTC
Local time at epicenter : Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 03:53:17 PM at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 9.7 km
Geo-location(s) :
20 km (12 miles) WSW of Ahar, Iran
60 km (37 miles) ENE of Tabriz, Iran

Links to important maps
USGS Did You Feel It Map
Google satellite map showing the epicenter and the surrounding area
Historic earthquakes map
Seismic hazard map
Shaking map
Human impact map

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