Iran’s FM Sympathizes with Afghanistan over Avalanche Disaster
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sympathized with Afghans over the recent avalanches which killed over 200 people in Afghanistan.
In a telephone conversation with his Afghan counterpart on Sunday, Zarif expressed sympathy over the natural disaster.
He prayed God to bestow mercy upon the souls of the victims and wished the bereaved families patience and health.
The Iranian top diplomat further said the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Red Crescent Society is ready to send aid to Afghanistan if asked to.
Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, for his part, described the tragic event as very painful and thanked Zarif for his sympathy.
More than 200 people have been confirmed dead in a recent series of avalanches in Afghanistan.
Acting governor of Panjshir Abdul Rahman Kabiri confirmed Thursday that the number of people killed in the province alone has exceeded 168.
Dozens have been also killed in other areas while the officials warned that the death toll will likely rise as rescue is underway to recover the dead bodies trapped beneath the snow.
Panjshir, around 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of the capital, Kabul, has been the most affected area with most of the people trapped in the mountainous valley.
Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to various kinds of natural disasters, affecting the lives of thousands of people every year.
Deadly avalanches are common in Afghanistan’s mountainous areas, where there is lack of infrastructure as well as environmental degradation aggravating the impact of heavy snow.
