Chinese Government provides RMB 5 million grant for Bam earthquake response activities in Kerman Province (Linked to Record ID#41238 and ID#41239)

On December 28, 2003, China's trade ministry provided emergency aid of 5 million yuan (602,000 USD), with the first tranche of aid coming in the form of tents, drugs and electricity generators on Saturday's flight, the agency said.

The spokesman said Iran urgently needed sniffer dogs and machines that would detect survivors, along with medicines, blankets, tents and prefabricated houses.

Earlier the rector at the faculty of medicine in Kerman, Iraj Sharifi, said 5,000 people had been killed instantly and 20,000 were buried under rubble.

In addition to the financial aid, the Chinese Government also sent a team of 43 rescue workers and financial aid to Iran in response to an earthquake that has left at least 20,000 dead in the southeast of the country (captured in Record ID#41238).

Then, on December 30, 2003, the Chinese Government sent 10 million RMB worth of relief supplies to Iran after the Bam Earthquake (captured in Record ID#41239). This aid was in addition to the 5 million RMB in relief supplies. The severe quake registered a magnitude of 6.6 with the U.S. Geological Survey.

It hit near the ancient city before dawn Friday, killing between 5,000 and 20,000 people. Iranian government officials were differing on the number. The higher toll came from an official with the Interior Ministry. As many as 30,000 people are believed to have been injured. About 80 percent of the city's buildings were likely destroyed in the quake, including two hospitals.

The city was left with no power, fuel or water, and people were being given bread to eat.