It's looking like a crappy years for natural disasters.....I'm soooo looking forward to hurricane season.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4286129.stm
Hundreds killed in Iranian quake
Earthquake scene
There are fears that many people are buried under rubble
A strong earthquake has hit dozens of villages in southern Iran, killing at least 500 people and hurting many more.
The 6.4-magnitude quake struck just before 0600 (0230 GMT) and was centred near Zarand in Kerman province, 740km (460 miles) from the capital, Tehran.
Some 30,000 people in about 40 villages spread over a wide, mountainous area have been affected.
Casualties are expected to rise as rescue workers reach the province. Heavy rain is hampering rescue work.
State-run television in Iran and the local governor's office in Kerman said more than 500 people died as a result of the earthquake, which lasted 11 seconds.