Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 3, 1990

In the morning news, it was reported that hundreds of Mecca pilgrims were killed in the newly constructed tunnel between Mecca and Arafat. By nightfall, it was revealed that the number of casualties had reached 1426 according to Saudi Arabia's official admission. The other news is that the Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union has started working with the decline and weakening of the party.

We flew to the earthquake affected areas by helicopter from Manzarieh [camp]. The Minister of Interior and his deputies and Mohsen were with him. A helicopter engine went off in the air around the region of Abik [near Qazvin]; We landed right there in the alfalfa field next to Abek cement factory. Because the helicopter had two engines, it went well. When it landed, it was dragged a few meters on the ground and calmed down. The Shenuk helicopter, which was carrying the companions, landed there and we continued the journey with it. The companions were confused.

We were supposed to sit first in Razbian and then in Qazvin River, but due to the cloudiness of the area, the helicopters could not arrive. We had to start with the third part of the program. We landed in the village of Bey Kandi in the Qaqazan area of ​​the vineyard. People had gathered. This village had 215 households, almost all the houses have been destroyed and all the people live in tents. There were few casualties: 12 people. People expressed passionate feelings. I spoke to them. Their main wish is to build suitable housing, and some wanted to move the village to the side of the road. They were satisfied with the assistance.

From there, we went to the village of Siah Posh in Lower Tarem, south of Manjil Dam Lake. The same situation as before was repeated. The damage here is more and their casualties were more than those who were in Manjil city during the earthquake. Due to the light roofs, the rural buildings had few casualties. The tents were set up under the trees in the olive groves.

We went to Mirkhwand village by car. There were 100 households. They had 12 dead and six wounded. Their desire was to speed up the construction of housing and buy agricultural products at a better price. We went to Orkan Kurd village; A bigger village with more destruction and less casualties and similar demands to other villages.

We flew to the Upper Tarem area. In Gilvan, at the place of jihad, lunch and prayers were held and the report of works, deficiencies and needs was heard. The imam of Friday, Zanjan and Shawl, and the representatives were also there; They have worked relatively well. It was ordered to buy potatoes and tomatoes at a better price.

We went by car to the village of Kohkan Olia. Rural roads are good everywhere; There is a lot of damage and the casualties are 56 people out of 500 people in the village. The same program was repeated in other places: gathering and expressing feelings and expressing wishes and condolences. Here, several people complained about the style of relief. We visited a rice field that was cut off and damaged due to a crack in the ground.

We went to the water section. Two thousand families and about 200 people have lost their lives. We got an explanation at the relief headquarters. We talked to people on the roads. And we met the needs. I spoke for the people. We flew to Tehran. We could not do some programs; They had planned more than possible.

They reported that one of the accompanying videographers fell from the van and was taken to the hospital in a coma. I emphasized on handling. We arrived in Tehran at seven in the afternoon. I rested at home at night. Fatigue was removed.