For four days, rescue teams from all over the world have been pouring through piles of rubble that cover the city of Bam in Iran. They are searching for signs of life in the ancient city. Early Friday morning, a major earthquake struck, destroying much of the city and killing over 25,000 people. Officials expect the number of people killed to increase as more victims are found.

Sorrow in Iran

In addition to those killed, at least 10,000 people were hurt and tens of thousands left homeless and hungry. Many slept in tents donated by international aid groups. Some built fires outdoors to keep warm. "There is nothing but devastation and debris," said Mohammed Karimi, an Iranian man who lost his wife and 4-year-old daughter in the earthquake.

Measuring the Quake’s Strength

The earthquake is the world’s most deadly in 13 years. It measured 6.6 on the Richter scale, a device used to measure the strength of an earthquake. A quake with a magnitude of 6 can cause serious devastation.

The amount of damage done by an earthquake depends on many factors, including the type of construction in the area. Most of Bam’s 80,000 people lived in sun-dried mud-brick homes which had no support beams. They were no match for quake’s destructive power.

History in Ruins

The quake also destroyed much of Bam's historic landmark, the Old City. A giant fortress made of mud-brick towers, domes and walls, the Old City was a popular tourist site. Much of the 2,000-year-old site crumbled like a sand castle in the earthquake.

Help from Around the World

On Monday, rescue workers continued to search through the debris. They had little hope of finding any survivors until they discovered a 12-year-old girl alive in the rubble of her family's house. Many workers vowed to continue searching.

The United States has had tense relations with Iran for more than two decades. But on Friday, President George W. Bush set aside those differences. "We stand ready to help the people of Iran," Bush said.

U.S. military planes have delivered 150,000 pounds of blankets, medical supplies and water. The U.S. has also sent medical teams and a search-and-rescue team. About 1,400 international relief workers from 26 countries are helping the people of Bam.

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