Ayatollah Khamenei Visits Iran’s Quake-Hit Areas

 (FNA)- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Thursday paid a visit to the quake-hit areas where twin strong tumors on Saturday killed over 300 people in East Azarbaijan province, Northeastern Iran.

Ayatollah Khamenei closely visited and sympathized with the survivors of the tragic incident.

Supreme Leader said that Iranian nation are unified and such a solidarity has made the nation stronger.

Ayatollah Khamenei called for patience of the people hit by the disaster and cooperation with the government in carrying out reconstruction program.

The Supreme Leader hoped that the reconstruction drive will help improve the situation better than before.

Ayatollah Khamenei said that the rescue operations have been satisfactory and of course the officials have heavy responsibility to rebuild the devastated areas resistant to quake, calling for cooperation of the inhabitants with the government in carrying out the task.

An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale jolted Ahar in East Azerbaijan province at 16:00 hours local time (1130GMT) Saturday. The epicenter of the quake was located in an area 46.8 degrees in longitude and 38.4 degrees in latitude.

Almost an hour later another quake with magnitude 6 on the Richter scale jolted Varzaqan at 17:04 hours local time (1234GMT) in the same province. The epicenter of the quake was located in an area 46.7 degrees in longitude and 38.4 degrees in latitude.