The 1978 Tabas earthquake; the deadliest earthquake in Iran's history with 20,000 dead.

An earthquake with a magnitude of about 7.4 destroyed the Tabas region and dozens of surrounding villages.

The city of Tabas and many of the settlements in the region suffered very heavy damage. The exact number of victims varies in different sources, but credible estimates indicate the death of at least about 15,000 to more than 20,000 people.

The Tabas earthquake was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Iran's contemporary history and occurred in the midst of the political crisis of 1978.