Three days after a massive earthquake jolted western Iran, killing at least 432 people and injuring thousands, the search and rescue operation is almost finished but many local residents remain in a dire situation, braving chilly nights without tents and lacking essentials.

The magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck Sunday night was felt strongly throughout western Iran.

Hardest hit was the province of Kermanshah, where the quake had its epicenter, and especially its Sarpol e Zahab and Qasr e Shirin counties, which suffered tremendous damage.

The situation on the ground in those areas is one of ruined houses and stores, crumpled cars under debris, thousands of displaced people living on sidewalks and pleading for aid, glassy-eyed kids, and dust generated by the clearing of debris.

According to local officials, over 6,000 houses were destroyed and more than 800 villages still are without tap water and electricity supply.

Speaking to Kyodo News, Ahmad Azizi, a local rescue official, said there is an urgent need for tents and blankets, especially in hard-to-access remote areas.

While driving through the affected region, totally ruined villages could be seen from the main road. Entering them, the air reeked of decomposition from bodies of farm animals remaining under the debris.

In areas where no aid has arrived yet, villagers, some of them with injuries, have been forced to spend freezing nights without shelter, heat and warm clothes, with their houses ruined and livestock they depended on dead.

Majid Azizi, a 56-year-old villager who is living in Imam Abbas village, near the Iraqi border, sat in front of his ruined house with a bloody head and shirt.

"I lost everything. All my assets were these 25 sheep that are under debris now. My house also is completely ruined," Majid said with tears in his eyes.

He said he and his three sons and three daughters are now living outside at the mercy of the elements. "We need blankets and tents. If not, we'll free to death as it's so cold at night."

In the village of Sarab Zahab, where 21 people died, Sirvan Gaderi, 21, said he was heading home when the quake struck and arrived to find his house badly damaged -- his wife and daughter still inside.

"I heard my wife screaming and asking for help under the debris. I rescued both of them with my hands but my uncle who was living next door died before I could save him," Sirvan said.

"What we need are things to warm us up -- a tent, blankets and food. We haven't received enough help yet. In coming days, the cold will continue and we'll need temporary accommodation."

Although President Hassan Rouhani's government has promised to meet their needs, the displaced and shocked residents nevertheless fear for the future.

Gohar Otofat, a 62-year-old woman who is staying out in the open, close to her devastated home, and taking care of her injured daughter, said they have been "shaking of cold till sunrise."

"I tried to receive a tent, but the number of tents is limited and only strong people who can survive in the crowd can get one," she said.

Gohar said she and her family members were sitting in their living room on the top floor of a seven-story residential building when the quake struck and causing part of the ceiling and a wall to collapse.

"I was trying to pull my daughter out of the debris when suddenly another piece fell on her head and injured her. It was dark and terrifying and I don't know how we managed to get out of building," she said.

While visiting affected areas, some people could be seen chasing and stopping humanitarian trucks carrying mainly tents and blankets, and trying to loot them.

Local officials said police and other security forces are trying to fix the looting problem as it is hindering relief operations.