Iran offers condolences to Japan after Kumamoto quake

Abdullateef Fowewe

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi has offered condolences to Japanese following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture.

The catastrophe occurred on Tuesday, July 28.

Abbas in a statement on Thursday expressed sympathy from the Iranian government and people and prayed for a swift recovery.

“We express our deepest sorrow over the immense damage caused by the earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture.

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the victims and their bereaved families. We pray for the souls of those who lost their lives, for the swift recovery of the injured, and for the prompt restoration and reconstruction of the affected areas,” Araghchi wrote.

Images from the scene show Japanese rescue teams in uniforms working atop collapsed residential buildings and rubble, underscoring the widespread structural damage.

The disaster has left around 30 people dead, forced thousands to evacuate, and caused ongoing power and water shortages in parts of the prefecture.