TEHRAN - Iran launched an appeal for international aid yesterday for the 40,000 people left homeless in the earthquake which hit snow-bound Ardabil, as the UN warned the casualty toll could rise. In co-ordination with the UN, the Iranian authorities drew up a list of urgent needs to be sought from the world community for the homeless and other survivors of the quake, which killed almost 1,000 people.
A light aircraft being used in relief operations crashed on its way to the earthquake zone in north-west Iran, killing all four people on board, Iranian reports said yesterday.
President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's visit to the region yesterday was called off due to heavy snowfall.