The international community on Tuesday offered aid to Iran, where the death toll of a powerful earthquake rose to at least 420 and was expected to rise further.

The tremor, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, occurred at 05:55 AM (02:25 GMT) on Tuesday. The quake, centered on the outskirts of Zarand, about 700 km southeast of the country's capital Tehran, also shook the neighboring cities of Yazd, Meybod and Behabad.

Ali Karimi, governor of the disaster-stricken Kerman province, put the death toll at 420 but said the figure would probably rise as rescue teams still did not have a final count from three most isolated mountain villages.

Nearly 1,000 others were wounded and many left homeless. About 40 villages were damaged in the quake, which struck a region 250 km from Bam, where nearly 262,000 people were killed in December 2003 by an even stronger earthquake measuring 6.8.

Hampered by cold, poor visibility and heavy rain, which turned to sleet and snow in some areas, rescue teams bringing tents, blankets and food struggled to reach remote mountain villages where thousands of people were left homeless.

The international community sent condolences over the quake, and offered assistance to deal with the disaster.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the United Nations is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iranian people.

Annan said in a statement he was deeply saddened by the heavy loss of life and destruction suffered by the Iranian people. He extended his deepest condolences to the people and government of Iran, and families of those killed and injured in the quake.

The secretary also noted the United Nations is organizing assessment missions to the affected region and stands ready to assist in efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs created by the disaster.

In Beijing, Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a letter of condolences to his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Khatami over the heavy casualties and property losses caused by the quake. Hu offered his deepest sympathy to Khatami, to the victims and their relatives.

US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said his country is willing to provide Iran with assistance. "It's something we're willing to look at," he said, but adding "there's nothing specific yet in terms of knowing what they need and what we might provide."

A French Foreign Ministry spokesman said France was ready to respond to any aid request. "France wishes to express its complete solidarity with the Iranian people," said spokesman Herve Ladsous.

Neighboring Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf expressed deep "shock and grief" over the quake and offered assistance.

"We stand ready to render assistance to our Iranian brothers and sisters to deal with this calamity and provide any help for rescue, relief and rehabilitation that your government may consider most appropriate and effective," he said in a message to Khatami.

In another neighboring country, Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai also offered condolences. "I am saddened to hear this news," he said, expressing "deep condolences" for "those affected" and the "brotherly people of Iran."

Turkey, which like its neighbor Iran has long experience of deadly quakes, also offered aid. A prime minister's statement said the country's civil defense, rescue and emergency medical services were standing by to help if necessary.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis sent a message of condolences to Khatami, expressing his sincere condolences and conveyed the support of the Greek government and people over the tragic loss of lives.

The Red Crescent Authority (RCA) in the United Arab Emirates declared on Tuesday that it will send urgent aid to Iran.

Khalifa Nasser al-Suweidi, RCA's board chairman, said a plane loaded with relief materials, including blankets, tents, medicines and foodstuff, will leave Wednesday for Iran's Kerman province which was devastated by the earthquake.

(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2005)