Spanish News Agency Reports 40,000 Deaths in Bam Earthquake

The official Spanish news agency (EFE) reported in its latest report that the number of victims of the Bam earthquake in Iran has reached 40,000. In a report transmitted from the Bam region, it stated that although the Iranian Ministry of Interior has counted the number of victims at 20,000, rescue groups say that with the current search efforts continuing, the actual number of people killed in this disaster will ultimately reach 40,000. EFE cited the governor of Kerman, who reported: 'As we continue to pull more bodies from the rubble, we realize that the number of victims of this incident will be double the current figure.' The news agency noted that one reason for the increase in casualties was that the earthquake struck while the entire population of the city of Bam, which is 100,000, was asleep. According to a report from the website Baztab and citing the Spanish news agency, as a result of this earthquake, no buildings remain in the city, and Bam has turned into a pile of rubble. The report further stated that while the weather in the region is very cold and harsh, thousands of residents of this city are still in limbo on the second night of the disaster, with some struggling to protect themselves with just a blanket or mat. EFE noted that meanwhile, rescue groups and citizens are trying to accommodate more people by setting up camps and tents.