TEHRAN – Iran has expressed solidarity with the Afghan people over a deadly earthquake that killed thousands of people. 

“Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has expressed regret over the death of a group of dear Afghan citizens in Saturday's earthquake in the city of Herat,” the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement. 

Kanaani extended his sympathy to the acting government and the people of the neighboring Muslim country. 

While offering condolences to the bereaved families, the Foreign Ministry spokesman also wished fast recovery for the wounded.

Kanaani said Iran's thoughts are with the dear people of Afghanistan, according to the statement. 

A powerful earthquake hit western Afghanistan on Saturday that is estimated to have killed 2,000 people, according to a senior Taliban official. 

Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban spokesperson based in Qatar, told Al Jazeera that many people were missing and rescue operations were underway to save people trapped in debris in the wake of a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Herat province.

Shaheen said there was an urgent need for tents, medical and food items in the areas hit by the disaster, as he appealed to local businessmen and NGOs to come forward to help people in need.

Earlier, Abdul Wahid Rayan, spokesman at the Ministry of Information and Culture, told The Associated Press that more than 2,000 people were killed in the quake and strong aftershocks. About six villages have been destroyed and hundreds of civilians have been buried under the debris, he said, calling for urgent help.