Two earthquakes hit Iran, killing at least 250 people

Two strong earthquakes leveled villages and damaged homes in northwest Iran on Saturday. At least 250 people were reported killed, and more than 2,000 were injured.

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Aug. 12, 2012

Relatives mourn over the bodies that were recovered in the earthquake-stricken village of Varzaqan, near Ahar, in East Azerbaijan province. Iran's government faced criticism from lawmakers and the public Monday over its handling of relief efforts after two large earthquakes killed 300 people and injured thousands in the northwest of the country.

/ Reuters

Aug. 12, 2012

Relatives mourn a victim in the earthquake-stricken village of Varzaqan.

/ Reuters

A man weeps amid the devastation in East Azerbaijan province.

/ Reuters

A child in hard-hit Varzaqan village.

/ Reuters

Aug. 12, 2012

Rescue teams search for victims in Varzaqan.

/ Reuters

Aug. 12, 2012

A man stands near damaged houses in Varzaqan.

/ Reuters

Aug. 12, 2012

A woman grieves after her loved ones were killed during Saturday’s earthquake at the village of Bajebaj near the city of Varzaqan in northwestern Iran. Twin earthquakes in Iran have killed at least 250 people and injured more than 2,000, Iranian state television said Sunday.

Arash Khamoushi / AP

Aug. 12, 2012

Iranians carry the body of a victim of Saturday's earthquake to bury at the village of Bajebaj near the city of Varzaqan in northwestern Iran. The country 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.

Arash Khamoushi / AP

Aug. 12, 2012

A woman grieves after her loved ones were killed during Saturday's earthquake at the village of Bajebaj near the city of Varzaqan in northwestern Iran. Thousands spent the night outdoors after their villages were leveled and their homes were damaged.

Arash Khamoushi / AP

Aug. 12, 2012

Damaged buildings are seen in a village near the city of Varzaqan in northwestern Iran.

Farshid Tighehsaz / AP

Aug, 12, 2012

Iranians search the ruins of buildings at the village of Bajebaj near the city of Varzaqan in northwestern Iran after Saturday's earthquake.

Arash Khamoushi / AP

Aug. 11, 2012

A house sits in ruins after an earthquake in the city of Varzaghan in northwestern Iran.

Hamed Nazari / AP

Aug. 11, 2012

A woman lies injured on a stretcher in a street in Varzaghan.

Hamed Nazari / AP

Aug. 11, 2012

Medics treat an injured man in Varzaghan. A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit the towns of Ahar, Haris and Varzaghan in East Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran.

Ali Hamed Haghdoust / AP

Aug. 11, 2012

Residents spend the night outside their homes in Varzaghan. At least 10 aftershocks jolted the area and were felt in a wide region near the Caspian Sea, causing panic among the population.

Ali Hamed Haghdoust / AP

Aug. 11, 2012

Iranians mourn over the covered bodies of loved ones killed in twin earthquakes in Varzaghan. Rescue teams were striving to dig survivors out of the rubble.

Mahsa Jamali / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 11, 2012

A man tends to a woman who was injured in an earthquake in the city of Ahar, Iran. At least six villages were totally leveled.

Kazem Yousefi / AP

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