Earthquake Kills 270 in Iran

The earthquake occurred at 5:55 a.m. and measured 6.4 on the Richter scale.

Iranian state television broadcast a statement by Interior Ministry spokesperson Cihanbas Hancani who said that 270 people have died so far and that at least 1,000 were wounded by the earthquake.

The epicenter was identified as being in Zerent, a city of 135,000. Five or six villages were demolished and a road to Hotken village was closed because giant boulders were falling down a mountain. The injured are being taken to hospitals on motorcycles as the region does not have access to much transportation. Helicopters are delivering aid supplies. Power in Zerent has been partially restored.