TEHRAN - In response to the message of sympathy sent by the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society following the severe earthquake in eastern Russia, the head of the Russian Red Cross expressed his appreciation for the sympathy and moral support of the IRCS.

“This valuable message reflects the deep human and humanitarian ties between the two national societies, and we are grateful for this support,” Savchuk Pavel Olegovich, the Russian official, wrote to Pirhossein Kolivand, the IRCS head, IRNA reported.

“We express our most sincere gratitude for your sympathy and friendly support. Such messages are undoubtedly a great encouragement to the rescue workers and the victims in difficult moments.”

A strong earthquake struck Russia's far eastern Kamchatka region, the regional governor said on Friday, prompting a series of tsunami warnings in the region, but despite waves reaching the shore, there were no reports of damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was measured at a magnitude of 7.8 and at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). It said a series of aftershocks followed, measuring up to 5.8.

Afghanistan earthquake 

On September 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan issued a statement appreciating the Iranian Red Crescent Society for the relief supplies delivered following the devastating earthquake that hit the country.

According to the statement, Iran was the first country to dispatch humanitarian consignments to quake-hit Afghans in Kunar, the IRCS reported.

On August 31, at 23.47 local time, a 6+ magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Province near the Pakistan border. The epicenter was located in the Kama district, some 30 km northeast of the city of Jalalabad. Several aftershocks have occurred since, with the initial quake felt in neighbouring provinces including Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan, as well as Kabul. The quake’s hypocenter was estimated at only 8 to 10 km beneath the surface, exacerbating the quake’s impact.

A second earthquake of 5.5 magnitude struck the region on Tuesday, further destabilising the villages.

The Taliban administration has confirmed the death toll at 2,205, with at least 3,640 injured, though the United Nations has warned that the numbers may rise as many people remain trapped under rubble.

More than 6,700 homes have been destroyed, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless and in urgent need of assistance.