2003 Bam Earthquake - Damage and Casualties

Damage and Casualties

The quake occurred at 1:56 AM UTC (5:26 AM Iran Standard Time) on December 26, 2003. Its epicenter was roughly 10 kilometres (6 mi) southwest of the ancient city of Bam. Maximum intensities were at Bam and Baravat, with the most damage concentrated within the 16 kilometres (10 mi) radius around the city.

At least 26,271 people were killed and 30,000 injured. Casualties from the earthquake were originally reported to be 41,000, but that figure was lowered when it was discovered that some victims were counted more than once. Nevertheless, in terms of human loss the quake was the worst to occur in Iranian history. A census was undertaken to discover the exact number of casualties. The BBC reported that a large number of victims were crushed while sleeping. 11,000 students were killed and 1/5 of the 5,400 local teaching staff were also. This caused a significant problem for the local education system.

Eighty-five to ninety percent of buildings and infrastructure in the Bam area were either damaged or destroyed, with 70% of houses being completely destroyed, plus 70-90% of Bam's residential areas. This left an estimated 100,000 homeless. Not a single house was standing in Baravat. An important regional center during the 16th and 17th centuries, Bam contained many buildings that were not constructed to survive such ruptures. Many houses in Bam were homemade, and its owners did not use skilled labor or proper building materials to resist earthquakes in the construction. These were often built in the traditional mud-brick style. Mohsen Aboutorabi, professor of architecture at the University of Central England, demonstrated the lack of good building materials by banging two bricks together in Bam, resulting in cracking. On the other hand, Iranian regulations laid down in the 1989 Iran seismic code. were better enforced in high rise buildings and skyscrapers.

One reason for the large amount of casualties was that when the walls began to fall down, the heavy roofs would collapse, leaving few air pockets in them. The dust and lack of oxygen contributed to the suffocation of survivors. The Iranian government promised to prosecute anyone who violated building regulations, even setting up a special unit to deal with the issue.

A study of 210 victims showed that on average, each person had spent 1.9 hours under destroyed buildings. Among the victims, approximately 19 had compartment syndrome, 32 contracted impaired renal function, and fractures among their bones were common. As a result of these fractures neural injuries were also common.

The Bam Citadel was considered one of the best surviving mud citadels before the quake. Most of it was demolished, including a large square tower.

Electricity and water supplies were cut by the earthquake. At least 29 serious aftershocks struck Bam following the main shock.

A large number of schools were affected by the tremor. An estimated 1,200 teachers and 10,000 students were killed. Ali Zang-Abadi, head of education in Bam, described the state of pupils and teachers as "badly need psychological help because they are morally devastated." Around 5 January, teachers were being registered to resume educating.