Massive Earthquake Kills At Least 20,000 in Iran

By Karl Vick
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, December 28, 2003; 3:42 AM

TEHRAN, Dec. 27--A strong earthquake in southeastern Iran killed at least 20,000 people in and around the historic city of Bam early Friday, according to Iranian officials who appealed for international assistance in searching for survivors and recovering the dead.