Commenting on the rising public concern following a recent increase in seismic activities in the province of Tehran, Jahangiri said the administration is determined to strengthen the weak buildings in old residential areas to prevent severe damages in case of an earthquake.

Pointing to the position of Iran, which lies on many fault lines, the vice president warned that a big earthquake in a metropolis like Tehran could cause huge losses.

He also highlighted the administration’s efforts to strengthen structures in rural areas, saying all of the 6 million rural buildings in Iran are going to be strengthened in short term.

A string of temblors in recent months has raised concerns in Iran.

On November 12, a massive quake hit the western province of Kermanshah, killing more than 620 people and injuring around 10,000 others.

The deadliest quake in Iran’s modern history happened in June 1990, devastating many areas in the northern province of Gilan and killing around 37,000 people.

In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake in the province of Kerman flattened the historic city of Bam, killing more than 26,000 people.

Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Sadeq Monfared said some volunteer groups are ready to help provide accommodation for those made homeless by Sunday’s massive earthquake in Kermanshah.

He added that 50 volunteer groups from across the country have announced their readiness to contribute to relief operations and rebuild quake-hit areas in the province.

The official went on to say that based on the capabilities of the volunteer groups and the IRGC, they will build residential units for those made homeless.

As part of its rescue and relief operations, the IRGC has moved the country’s biggest portable field hospital to Kermanshah to treat those injured in Sunday’s 7.3-magnitude earthquake.

The latest statistics on Tuesday morning show 423 people have been killed and 7,370 others injured in Iran by the earthquake, whose epicenter was near Halabjah, southeast of Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah.

In a statement on Monday evening, the Iranian government expressed sympathy with the bereaved families of the victims and declared Tuesday as a day of mourning across the country.

The province of Kermanshah had earlier declared three days of mourning.

Hit hardest by the quake, the province has received dozens of rescue teams from across the country to search for the survivors stuck under the rubble and save the wounded.

Head of the country’s Emergency Medical Service said on Tuesday morning that the rescue and relief operation and the transfer of the injured in Kermanshah had almost finished.

President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday visited the areas worst hit by the earthquake and got updates on the rescue operations.