India sends tents, food aid to Afghan quake victims

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Indian Foreign Minister expressed condolences to his Afghan counterpart over Sunday night’s earthquake during a telephone call and confirmed that India had delivered 1,000 tents and 15 tons of food supplies to Afghanistan.

The earthquake struck around midnight and measured 6.0 on the Richter scale, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), confirmed that the death toll from the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen to 812, with more than 2,800 people injured.

According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi spoke with his Indian counterpart, Dr. J. Shankar, via telephone.

Shankar conveyed condolences over the damage caused by the earthquake and informed the Islamic Emirate that urgent humanitarian aid, including 1,000 tents and 15 tons of food supplies, had already been delivered.

He said that India would continue providing necessary assistance in medicines and food supplies.

Minister Muttaqi thanked his Indian counterpart for the support and assured that the aid would be distributed to those in need promptly.

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