Russia to provide aid to Afghanistan in connection with earthquake

Russian authorities are coordinating urgent humanitarian aid for Afghanistan following the overnight earthquake, according to a September 1 statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"Moscow expresses its sincere sympathy to the friendly Afghan people, the families of the dead and injured. Russian relevant agencies are currently organizing the dispatch of urgent humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan",

the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

The earthquake occurred during the night of August 31 to September 1, affecting three provinces in eastern Afghanistan. The tremors caused at least 800 fatalities and injured over 2,500 people.