TEHRAN – Pilhossain Koliband, head of Iran’s Red Crescent Association (IRCS), has announced that they are ready to send relief supplies and rescue units to help those affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan.
“It is deeply saddened to learn about the devastating earthquakes that struck Nangarhar, Kunar, Nurstan and Lagman in eastern Afghanistan, causing many lives and injuries. Iran’s Red Crescent Society offers sincere pacity dol to you and the families of the victims. Koliband wrote a message to the president of Shahabdinderawa, the Afghan Red Crescent Association (ARCS) on Monday.
On August 31st, more than six earthquakes occurred in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, near the Pakistan border, on 23.47. The epicenter was in the Kama district, about 30 km northeast of Jalalabad city. Several aftershocks have been caused since the first earthquakes were felt in neighboring states such as Kunar, Laghman, Nuristan and Kabul. The hypocenter of the earthquake was estimated to be just 8-10 km below the surface, exacerbating the impact of the earthquake.
Sharafat Zaman, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health, told local Shamshad TV that 1,000 people have been killed so far, most have been killed in Kunar Province.
He said the number of casualties could increase further as rescue operations continue in remote and mountainous regions where access is still difficult to access. Approximately 3,000 people were injured. Anadoru is Nangarhar, Raghman and Panjir are three other states affected by the earthquake.
On Monday, President Masuud Pezeshkian expressed deep sadness over the tragedy of the Afghanistan’s “friendly and brotherly” country. He also wanted a quick recovery for the injured.
Foreign Minister Abbas Aragci separately expressed his sympathy to the people of Afghanistan and the families of the victims, emphasizing that Iran is ready to send relief and medical teams to the earthquake-hitting areas.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeir Bakai reiterated his pledge, emphasizing that Iran is ready to work with Afghanistan through regional and joint cooperation to help treat the injured and alleviate the pain caused by the disaster.
mt/mg