Housing Foundation says rebuilding quake-hit houses well underway

TEHRAN,Oct.9(MNA) -- The Housing Foundation of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that reconstruction of areas which were hit by an earthquake on August 11 has progressed favorably. Earthmoving operations for 1,000 units have been completed. Contracts have so far been concluded to build 12,700 residential units. Also, 8021 temporary settlement units have been established. On August 11, two successive earthquakes, measuring 6.2 and 6 on the Richter scale, hit the cities of Ahar, Varzaqan and Haris in East Azarbaijan Province. The cities are respectively located 116, 97, and 110 northeast of Tabriz, the capital of East Azarbaijan.