Iran's Rouhani inspects quake damages, pledges compensation to losses

A man reacts following an earthquake in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah, Iran Nov 13, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

Immense restoration of damaged structures should start immediately, Nik-Kerdar added.

During Rouhani's visit to the quake-stricken areas in Kermanshah province on Tuesday, the president pledged to allocate sizeable fund for the reconstruction of the buildings.

In the meantime, Financial Tribune daily reported on Tuesday production activities at Iran's Azar oilfield and petrochemical plants in the western provinces have not been affected by the deadly earthquake on Sunday night.

"The earthquake has done no harm to the oilfield's installations and there is no reason for worry," Keyvan Yarahmadi, an official with the Petroleum Engineering and Development Company, was quoted as saying.

Yarahmadi noted that crude oil extraction at Azar oil field, in the Ilam province, is underway as usual.

Besides, Mohammad Ali Bosaqzadeh, deputy for production control at the National Petrochemical Company, said that the strong earthquake has damaged neither the petrochemical plants in western provinces nor the West Ethylene Pipeline that runs from Asalouyeh by the Persian Gulf to West Azarbaijan province in northwest Iran.

"Petrochemical complexes in Ilam, Kermanshah, Mahabad and Kurdestan are up and running," Bosaqzadeh said.

"Structurally, the plants comply with modern engineering standards and there is nothing to worry about in such critical situations," he added.

According to the latest figures, about 445 people have lost their lives and over 7,800 others sustained injuries in the tremor.

Along with the officials, Iranian people have also mobilized in response to the natural disaster to donate blood and prepare aid packages.

The rescue and relief operations to help people affected by a massive earthquake is nearing completion, Tasnim quoted head of the country's Emergency Medical Service as saying.

Messages of the condolences and help offers continue to pour in from around the world.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif appreciated the messages of sympathy from around the world.