Egypt ready to offer Iran more aid to Bam earthquake victims

Egypt, at the directives of President Hosni Mubarak, is ready to supply Iran with whatever it needs of humanitarian aid to help victims of last Friday's earthquake that struck Bam, head of the Egyptian interests section in Tehran Ambassador Shawki Ismail said. The Iranian media gave prominence to Egyptian assistance to the victims of the earthquake, he said.

A Saudi field hospital at the airport started to receive critical cases. Chief of Iranian Red Crescent, Mustafa Mohaqaq, voiced appreciation of the Egyptian aid to his country on Friday, asserting to that the Iranian people received such aid with satisfaction. He expressed his country's thanks to Egypt's offer to rebuild the citadel of Bam.

The city was divided into 12 sectors, where all survivors have been registered to determine the amount of foodstuffs and blankets needed there, he said.

Eight hospitals were established, one from Saudi Arabia, and one from Algeria to receive the injured, the official added.

The death toll of the devastating 6.3 quake may reach 50,000, Mohaqaq said, pointing out that rescue teams have found 2,000 alive under the wrecks.