BERMUDIANS are responding quickly and generously to an island appeal to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Iran.

Bermuda Red Cross launched a cash appeal on Tuesday to help Iranians cope with the aftermath of last Friday's 6.6-magnitude quake which killed between 30,000 and 40,000 people in and around the town of Bam.

And the charity's director, Ann Spencer-Arscott, said that by Wednesday morning the money was pouring in.

"The response has been wonderful," she said. "We've had a lot of people calling in to make donations over the phone and a few people have dropped in to give us sizeable cheques."

Several had been sums in the hundreds and one had been for $500, Ms Spencer-Arscott added.

All the money will be used in the earthquake zone and has first gone to London to be distributed by the British Red Cross. Some will be passed on to the Iranian Red Crescent.

Bermudians were traditionally compassionate and generous in responding to such appeals, Ms Spencer-Arscott said.

"When we had an appeal for an earthquake in India in January, 2001, we raised $124,000 in a very short time and the Government matched what we'd raised," the director said.

"When we had an appeal for Huricane Hugo more than ten years ago, we also had a huge response. Bermudians are very generous when there is a disaster and they can see there is an immediate need."

Tens of thousands have been rendered homeless by the quake and have been forced to spend nights outside in freezing temperatures.

Aid organisations have distributed around 100,000 tents, as well as blankets, clothing, kerosene heaters, generators, food and bottled water. Much more aid is needed.

On Wednesday, soldiers pulled four more people alive from the rubble of Iran's devastating earthquake, hours after rescue workers had all but given up hope of finding survivors and focused their efforts on relief and preventing disease.

The discovery of two men and two women amazed health workers handling the aftermath of the disaster. Normally, people trapped under collapsed buildings can survive three days ? a deadline that expired on Monday morning.

Those who wish to donate can do so over the phone with a debit or credit card by calling 236-8253.

Alternatively they can drop by to donate at the Bermuda Red Cross headquarters at 9 Berry Hill Road, or put money direct into accounts at the Bank of Bermuda (701-21565), the Bank of N.T. Butterfield (20-006-060-401365-200) or Gibbons Deposit Company (35760).