page_title: 2012 East Azerbaijan earthquakes
section_title: International
hierarchical_section_title: 2012 East Azerbaijan earthquakes / Reaction / International
caption_attribution_description: English: The 2012 East Azerbaijan earthquakes occurred near the cities of Ahar and Varzaqan in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province, on August 11, 2012, at 16:53 Iran Standard Time. The two quakes measured 6.4 and 6.3 on the moment magnitude scale, and were separated by eleven minutes. The epicenter of the earthquakes was 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Tabriz. فارسی: زمین‌لرزه‌های آذربایجان شرقی (۱۳۹۱، دو زلزلهٔ نسبتا شدیدی بود که روز شنبه ۲۱ مرداد ۱۳۹۱ مناطقی از استان آذربایجان شرقی را لرزاند؛ زمین‌لرزه‌ای با بزرگای گشتاوری ۶٫۴ در ساعت ۱۶:۵۳ به وقت محلّی در ۱۷ کیلومتری اهر و زمین‌لرزه‌ای با بزرگای گشتاوری ۶٫۳ در ساعت ۱۷:۰۴ به وقت محلّی در ۱۰ کیلومتری ورزقان. .
context_page_description: The 2012 East Azerbaijan earthquakes – also known as the Ahar earthquakes – occurred on 11 August 2012, at 16:53 Iran Standard Time, near the cities of Ahar and Varzaqan in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province, approximately 60 kilometers from Tabriz. They comprised a doublet separated by eleven minutes, with magnitudes of 6.4 and 6.2 Mww. At least 306 people died and more than 3,000 others were injured, primarily in the rural and mountainous areas to the northeast of Tabriz. The shocks were felt in Armenia and Azerbaijan, though no major damage was reported.
context_section_description: In the first two days, the Iranian Red Crescent said they would not accept outside help. Three days later, the Iranian government announced it would accept foreign help.
   United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's office issued a press release that read: "[He was] deeply saddened by the loss of hundreds of lives" and that the UN was ready to lend assistance and mobilize international support. The release said Ban "extends his sincere condolences to the Iranian government and people, particularly the families of those who have been killed or otherwise affected in this disaster."
   Armenian officials said the relief aid approved by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s cabinet included tents, blankets, portable beds, sleeping bags, canned food and drinking water.
   Azerbaijan sent an aid convoy of 25 trucks carrying 460 tents, 1,000 beds, 3,000 blankets, 20 tons of rice, 40 tons of flour and 58 tons of other food products to Ahar on 13 August. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his condolensces with regard to the earthquake. The region was visited by Azerbaijani MP Ganira Pashayeva.
   The Japanese ambassador to Iran, Kinichi Komano, expressed his government's sympathy with the earthquake victims and announced Japan's readiness to provide humanitarian aid.
   Pakistani President Asif Zardari and PM Raja Ashraf separately expressed condolences. The government of Pakistan dispatched a C-130 loaded with relief goods including tents, flour and milk on 13 August.
   Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences and offered help.
   Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sent a cable to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressing condolences, personally and on behalf of Syrians, to the victims and their families and wishing the wounded quick recoveries.
   Taiwan's government expressed its condolences to the families of victims and offered assistance.
   The Turkish Red Crescent sent a truck with emergency supplies to the border. The Turkish Foreign Ministry also said it was ready to help, if the need arises.
   The government of the United Arab Emirates expressed condolences and offered assistance.
   The White House Press Secretary Jay Carney released the following statement on 12 August: "The American people send the Iranian people our deepest condolences for the loss of life in the tragic earthquake in northwestern Iran. Our thoughts are with the families of those who were lost, and we wish the wounded a speedy recovery. We stand ready to offer assistance in this difficult time."
   Pope Benedict XVI, in his Sunday Angelus at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, stated: "Dear brothers and sisters, my thoughts are, at this moment ... to those of northwestern Iran, struck by a violent earthquake. These events have resulted in many victims and injured, thousands of displaced people and extensive damage. I invite you to join in my prayers for those who have lost their lives, and for all the affected people tried by these devastating disasters. These brothers and sisters need our solidarity and our support.
caption: Temporary accommodation tents
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