TEHRAN, Oct. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Iran on Saturday extended condolences to three Southern Asian countries of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan over a disastrous earthquake, the official IRNA news agency reported.

   "The disaster, which has left many people killed or injured, has made Iranian people and government deeply unhappy and depressed. We extend our condolences to the peoples and governments of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on the occasion," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi was quoted as saying in a message.

   Asefi also shared sympathy with bereaved families of the victim and wished patience for them and recovery for the injured, the report said.

   An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale rattled Pakistan, north India and Afghanistan early Saturday. Thousands of people have been feared killed in the region. Enditem