Iran's Leader Visits Earthquake-Stricken Areas in Kermanshah Province
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has arrived in the earthquake-stricken area of Kermanshah province in an unscheduled visit.
Mr. Khamenei's visit to the earthquake-hit areas took place a week after the incident, although representatives from Mr. Khamenei had previously traveled to the region.
According to Iranian media reports, Mr. Khamenei expressed "sympathy" with them in statements made in Sar-e-Pul-e-Zahab.
According to Mehr News Agency, Mr. Khamenei said in his remarks regarding the measures mentioned regarding assistance to earthquake-stricken areas: "The officials also made efforts in different sectors, and if they were not there, there would definitely be more problems, but I am not satisfied."
The earthquake occurred at 21:48 on Sunday, November 12, 30 kilometers northwest of Sar-e-Pul-e-Zahab and 32 kilometers southwest of Halabja, and was felt by about 150 million people in Iran and Iraq. The epicenter of the earthquake was in Esnan, Kermanshah.
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake has killed more than 400 people and injured at least 7,000. Tens of thousands of people have also been reported to have lost their homes.
In this regard, reports from Iran indicate that efforts are continuing to accommodate earthquake victims in tents and temporary camps, although there are still reports of some problems in providing aid to earthquake-affected areas, especially in remote villages.
The majority of the deaths are related to the city of Sar-e-Pul-e-Zahab, 15 kilometers from the Iraqi border in western Iran, and then to other parts of Kermanshah province.
This is the deadliest earthquake to hit Iran since 2012.
Source: BBC
