Iran’s Leader Visits Earthquake-Stricken Areas in Kermanshah Province
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s leader, made an unscheduled visit to the earthquake-stricken areas of Kermanshah province.
Khamenei’s visit to the earthquake-affected regions took place one week after the disaster, though representatives had been sent to the area on his behalf previously.
According to Iranian media reports, Khamenei expressed “sympathy” with residents during his visit to Sarpol-e Zahab.
According to Mehr news agency, Khamenei, in his remarks regarding relief efforts in the earthquake-stricken areas, stated: “Officials also made efforts in their respective sectors, and certainly there would have been more problems if they were not there, but I am not satisfied.”
The earthquake occurred at 21:48 on Sunday, November 21 (November 12) at a distance of 30 kilometers northwest of Sarpol-e Zahab and 32 kilometers southwest of Halabja, and was felt by approximately 150 million people in Iran and Iraq. The epicenter of the earthquake was in Gergan, Kermanshah province.
As a result of this 7.3-magnitude earthquake, more than 400 people have been killed so far and at least 7,000 have been injured. According to reports, tens of thousands of people have also lost their homes.
In this regard, reports from Iran indicate that efforts continue to shelter earthquake survivors in tents and temporary camps, although reports of some problems in providing assistance to earthquake-stricken areas, particularly in remote villages, are still being reported.
The majority of deaths have been recorded in the city of Sarpol-e Zahab, located 15 kilometers from the Iraqi border in western Iran, followed by other parts of Kermanshah province.
This is the deadliest earthquake to occur in Iran since 2012.
Source: BBC
