Iran Offers Assistance to Quake-Hit Nepal
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The secretary general of Iran’s Red Crescent Society extended his condolences to the Nepalese people and government over the deadly earthquake in the Himalayan country, saying that the Islamic Republic is prepared to offer any kind of assistance.
In a letter to Secretary General of Nepal Red Cross Society Dev Ratna Dhakhwa on Sunday, Ali Asghar Ahmadi expressed regret that the “terrible earthquake” has led to the death and injury of many people in Nepal.
He further stated that the Iranian Red Crescent Society is ready to help the Nepalese counterpart in relief and rescue operations.
The death toll from Nepal's powerful earthquake on Saturday has jumped to more than 1900 as the rescue operations continue in the stricken areas.
Authorities say an unknown number of people remain missing or injured.
According to reports, hundreds of mountaineers on their way to ascend to the peak of Mount Everest were caught in the mountains.
The quake triggered a “huge avalanche,” at Mount Everest base camp, killing at least 10 people on Saturday, including foreign climbers, a Nepalese official said.
The epicenter of the earthquake was 80 kilometers (49 mile) northwest of Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Valley is densely populated with nearly 2.5 million, with the quality of buildings often poor.
The sustained quake was also felt in India's capital of New Delhi.
