Pirhossein Kolivand, Chairman of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), sent a message to his fellow Afghans expressing deep sympathy for the victims of the overnight earthquake that struck near Balkh and Samangan provinces in northern Afghanistan.
Kolivand expressed his condolences to the families and the Afghan Red Crescent Society, noting that the earthquake left casualties, hundreds of injuries, and infrastructure damage.
He assured that IRCS is supporting Afghanistan “during these difficult times” and is fully prepared to deploy operational rescue teams, medical units and humanitarian assistance to affected areas.
The total number of victims of the earthquake in northern Afghanistan reached 830, with 27 killed.
The news agency said most of the casualties were reported in Balkh and Samangan provinces.
Earlier, media reported that 20 people were killed, with more than 300 injured.
A devastating earthquake shook Afghanistan’s northern provinces on the night of November 3, causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was 37 kilometers northwest of Mazar-e-Sharif, a city of about 523,000 people. The hotspot was at a depth of 10 kilometers.
MNA/6643967