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CNN Live At Daybreak

Search for Survivors Ends in Iran Earthquake

Aired January 01, 2004 - 06:39   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's head live to Iran now. The focus there is shifting from rescuing survivors to caring for the homeless.
To the city of Bam now and a live update from CNN's Kasra Naji.

Good morning -- Kasra.

KASRA NAJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Iranians and particularly people here in Bam have begun the year 2004 on a decidedly low note. They are preparing for mass memorial services throughout the country for tens of thousands of people who died in last Friday's earthquake.

These memorial services are held on the eve of the seventh day of the earthquake. This is the Islamic tradition that you hold these memorial services on the eve of the seventh day of the burial of your loved ones. This is what's happening throughout the country, and here in Bam, former President Rafsanjani is going to preside over this ceremony.

At the same time, we're getting new figures in terms of casualties of this earthquake. We have the United Nations' coordinating office here, which coordinates efforts of all of the international agencies. They're coming with a figure of 28,100 dead during this earthquake so far. Those are the bodies that have been found so far, according to the U.N.

But we also have another indication, another figure from Iranian officials. They are now saying that they have buried 26,500 people. But these are the first indications really that the final death toll will be probably around 30,000 or so -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Kasra Naji reporting live from Bam, Iran, this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.






Aired January 1, 2004 - 06:39   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's head live to Iran now. The focus there is shifting from rescuing survivors to caring for the homeless.
To the city of Bam now and a live update from CNN's Kasra Naji.

Good morning -- Kasra.

KASRA NAJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Iranians and particularly people here in Bam have begun the year 2004 on a decidedly low note. They are preparing for mass memorial services throughout the country for tens of thousands of people who died in last Friday's earthquake.

These memorial services are held on the eve of the seventh day of the earthquake. This is the Islamic tradition that you hold these memorial services on the eve of the seventh day of the burial of your loved ones. This is what's happening throughout the country, and here in Bam, former President Rafsanjani is going to preside over this ceremony.

At the same time, we're getting new figures in terms of casualties of this earthquake. We have the United Nations' coordinating office here, which coordinates efforts of all of the international agencies. They're coming with a figure of 28,100 dead during this earthquake so far. Those are the bodies that have been found so far, according to the U.N.

But we also have another indication, another figure from Iranian officials. They are now saying that they have buried 26,500 people. But these are the first indications really that the final death toll will be probably around 30,000 or so -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Kasra Naji reporting live from Bam, Iran, this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.