A shipment of humanitarian aid from Bulgaria to the quake-hit Iranian city of Bam will be sent by the Bulgarian and US Red Cross in a response to the appeal of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva from December 27 last year.

The first shipment will contain 12,000 blankets and 250 tents.

Twenty three firemen took part in the rescue operations in Bam, one of the first international missions to arrive in the city of Bam after the devastating earthquake December 26.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the United Nations are to make a joint appeal for reconstruction aid during a visit to Bam next Wednesday by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami.

The quake, measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale, destroyed some 60% of all buildings in the ancient city, which used to be a major tourist attraction. Officials said that death toll from the severe earthquake that shook Iran's southeastern part last Friday could reach 50,000. Some 100,000 were left homeless.

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