Putin Expresses Condolences to Leaders of Pakistan, Afghanistan Over Quake

The Russian president expressed his condolences to the Afghan President Ashraf Gani, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussein, and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the deadly earthquake that occurred on Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan over a devastating earthquake that struck the two Central Asian countries on Monday, the president’s press service said.

On Monday, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan's northeastern Hindu Kush region, causing severe damage to infrastructure both within the country and in neighboring states, including Pakistan.

“Russian President V.V. Putin has sent a telegram of condolences to Afghan President A.Gani, Pakistani President M.Hussein, and Pakistani Prime Minister N.Sharif in regard to the multiple victims and destruction caused by an earthquake in northeastern Afghanistan and in the northern and northwestern regions of Pakistan,” the press service said.

Earlier in the day, local media reported that the natural disaster had killed about 90 people in Afghanistan and at least 275 in Pakistan.

Rescue efforts are reportedly being expanded in remote mountainous areas in both of the quake-hit countries to provide assistance to those affected.

The Russian Emergency Ministry offered assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan following the earthquake, the ministry’s press service said on Monday.