At least 250 were killed in Afghanistan earthquake, and scores were wounded
Pictures on social media showed people on stretchers, rubble and ruined homes in Paktika province.
A local government official the death toll of more than 250 was likely to rise and that more than 150 others had been injured.
The quake struck about 44km (27 miles) from the south-eastern city of Khost.
"Unfortunately, last night, there was a severe earthquake in four districts of Paktika province, which killed and injured hundreds of our countrymen and destroyed dozens of houses," government spokesman Bilal Karimi tweeted.
Tremors were felt across more than 500km of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, quoted by Reuters.
The centre said that witnesses had reported feeling the quake in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, and Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.
However, there have been no immediate reports of casualties, and the earthquake has caused barely any damage there,
The earthquake which hit during the early hours as many people were sleeping - was a magnitude 6.1 quake at a depth of some 51km, according to the US Geological Survey.
Earthquakes can cause significant damage in Afghanistan, particularly in rural areas where many dwellings are not as stable or well-built.
0 Comment