On December 26, 2003, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake devastated the historic city of Bam in Kerman Province. Over 26,000 people were killed and 30,000 injured. The ancient Bam Citadel was largely destroyed.
Historical Context
The earthquake struck at 5:26 AM local time when most people were asleep. Bam's adobe and mud-brick buildings were highly vulnerable to earthquakes. Over 70% of the city's structures were destroyed. The Bam Citadel, the world's largest adobe structure with 2,000 years of history, suffered 80% damage. International aid arrived from 44 countries. The disaster exposed the government's weak infrastructure and crisis management.
Fun Facts
The Bam Citadel was a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its reconstruction took years. The Bam earthquake was one of the deadliest natural disasters of the 21st century. Many volunteer rescuers traveled to Bam from across Iran, demonstrating national solidarity.
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