Egypt expresses deepest condolences over earthquake victims in Iraq and Iran

A statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed deepest condolences over the victims of an earthquake that hit the border region between Iraq and Iran, killing more than 300 people and injuring thousands on late Sunday.

“Egypt stands with the people of Iraq and Iran as it offers its deepest condolences for the victims and their families”,” the statement said.

At least 332 people were killed in Iran and Iraq when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the region on Sunday, state media in the two countries said, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area.

Iranian state television said more than 328 people were killed in the country and at least 2,500 were injured.

Local officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of the country.

The earthquake was felt in several western provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah, where officials announced three days of mourning.

More than 236 of the victims were in the county of Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshah province, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraqi border. Source: Ahram online