Pakistan on Sunday expressed grief over the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan a day before that has caused widespread destruction and claimed thousands of lives.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said the government and people of Pakistan were deeply saddened by Saturday’s devastating earthquake in west Afghanistan that has resulted in tragic loss of lives and widespread damage to property.
🔊: PR NO. 1️⃣9️⃣5️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) October 8, 2023
Earthquake in Afghanistan
🔗⬇️ https://t.co/lx2RFa1xpN pic.twitter.com/JnHiuLBcbR
The FO extended condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones, and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
“Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan in this difficult time. We are in contact with the Afghan authorities to get a first-hand assessment of the urgent needs of those affected by the earthquake,” the statement added.
Also Read: Death toll rises to 'more than 2,000' in Afghanistan earthquakes
Pakistan will extend all possible support to the recovery effort, it further stated.
The death toll from a series of earthquakes that struck western Afghanistan on Saturday surged to over 2,000 on Sunday, as rescue teams scramble in search of survivors among debris.
The Taliban administration claimed the powerful tremors killed more than 2,000 people and injured more than 9,000.
A magnitude 6.3 quake and subsequent eight strong aftershocks hit remote areas of Afghanistan on Saturday, approximately 30 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. The quakes destroyed villages as residents ran out on the roads.