Iranians describe earthquake terror

TEHRAN, Iran -- Residents of the zone in northwestern Iran hit by powerful twin earthquakes described moments of terror and panic with birds crowing loudly in warning seconds before the ground shook. As the death toll rose Sunday to more than 250 with entire villages leveled, rescuers called off searches for survivors and turned their attention to caring for the 16,000 people left homeless.

At least 20 villages were destroyed in the quakes on Saturday that were followed by some 36 aftershocks, state television reported. Ahmad Reza Shajiei, a senior government official in charge of rescue operations, said more than 5,000 tents have been set up to shelter the thousands of displaced people who spent the night outdoors.

"The moment the earthquake hit, it was like a snake biting from underground. It was the worst experience of my life," said Morteza Javid, 47, of Ahar.

"The walls were shaking and moving from side to side. It took about a minute before I could run out of the house," he said. "Seconds before the earthquake, crows were making a lot of noise, but I didn't understand why. It was only after the quake that I learned the crows were warning us." Javid said he drove more than a dozen injured people to hospitals during the night.

State television said at least 250 died. The semiofficial Mehr news agency quoted a local official who put the toll at 277. State TV said 44,000 food packages and thousands of blankets have been distributed in the stricken area.

In Washington, the White House press secretary sent a message of sympathy for the victims.

"Our thoughts are with the families of those who were lost, and we wish the wounded a speedy recovery," it said. "We stand ready to offer assistance in this difficult time."

The U.S. and Iran are locked in a bitter fight over Tehran's disputed nuclear program.

The UN also issued a message of sympathy and offered aid.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that Saturday's first quake was magnitude 6.4 at 35 miles northeast of Tabriz at a depth of 6.2 miles. The second one, 11 minutes later, was 6.3 and 30 miles northeast of Tabriz at a depth of 6.1 miles.