UN chief sends condolences to Iran, Pakistan over earthquake victims

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon extended his condolences to the Iranian and Paksitani government and nation on the death of their beloved ones in a recent devastating earthquake.Voicing sorrow over the Tuesday's earthquake in Iran and Pakistan, Ban Ki-moon promised both countries the United Nations' assistance, should they need it.I understand that the damage is less than might have been expected for an earthquake of this strength," he said at a ceremony marking the re-opening of the Security Council Chamber following its refurbishment. "Still, there are deaths and terrible damage. I express my profound condolences to the families of the victims, and to the governments and people of both countries.""I will continue to follow the news closely as relief workers and search and rescue teams reach the areas. The United Nations stands ready to help as necessary if asked to do so," he added.The earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale jolted an area near the town of Saravan in Iran's Southeastern Sistan and Balouchestan province near the border with Pakistan on Tuesday.The Seismological center of the Geophysics Institute of Tehran University registered the quake at 15:14 hours local time (1044 GMT).The center said the epicenter of the quake was located in an area 62.03 degrees in longitude and 28.04 degrees in latitude. It added that the quake's epicenter was located in a desert area around 81km North of Saravan and in the depth of 95km.Earlier unconfirmed reports said up to 1,000 homes were destroyed in Pakistan because of the quake, tremors of which were felt as far as New Delhi and Persian Gulf states.