Thousands of people rescued alive while hope fades in Bam

Bam (AsiaNews/IRNA) - Rescue workers have managed to save the lives of more than 1,000 inhabitants of Bam, who had been buried under rubble in the historical city rocked by a strong earthquake early Friday morning. However they say that hope is fading for finding many more survivors.

The team of rescue workers from Iran and 21 other countries saved the victims using sniffer dogs and sophisticated electronic instruments.

This morning Deputy Interior Minister for Security and Disciplinary Affairs Ali-Asghar Ahmadi said 11,000 bodies had been recovered, of which 9,000 were buried and 2,000 others delivered to their bereaved families.

Ahmadi said 10,000 injured citizens were transferred to other cities for treatment, of whom 5,000 were hospitalized and others received outpatient medical care.

The official said there are 30,000 relief workers in Bam including those dispatched by the police, the Islamic Republic Army, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Basij and the Islamic Republic Red Crescent Society (RCS). About 400 foreign experts have joined rescue efforts in Bam.

He said 16 truck-loads of medical assistance and services have been dispatched to the quake-stricken regions.

He added that RCS has thus far transported 83,000 tents, 164,000 blankets, 198,000 canned foods and other requirements to the area.

Ahmadi said 40 countries have so far pledged aid but assistance have been received from 27 countries.

The United Nations team in Bam said the search might be called off today, although a final decision would be taken by the Iranians. In the afternoon Interior Minister Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari said the total number of dead was likely to exceed 20,000.  Up to 15,000 bodies had already been "recovered and buried", he said.

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