A powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake rocked the eastern Afghan region of Hindu Kush on Monday, the U.S. Geographical Survey said, causing damage and hundreds of deaths across South Asia.
The earthquake epicenter was located 28 miles southwest of the village of Jarm, at a depth of 132 miles. The magnitude was initially reported as a 7.7, but was later downgraded.
The epicenter of the quake is in a remote, mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan, meaning it could be difficult to ascertain the extent of the damage for some time.
Charities working in nthn Afghanistan/Pakistan say little comms to region, so difficult to assess impact of 7.5mag quake 250km NNE Kabul
The powerful earthquake killed at least 311 people across Afghanistan and Pakistan, with Pakistani officials reporting 237 people dead, and some 1,000 wounded, the Associated Press reported.
In Afghanistan, officials said 74 people had died, and more than 200 had suffered injuries.
The Afghan figures include 12 girls who died in a stampede at a school in Badakhshan, as students tried to evacuate the building when the quake hit. Another 42 girls were taken to hospital with injuries, a spokesman for the Takhar provincial governor told AP.
Meanwhile, in Baramulla in Kashmir, India, a 65-year-old woman became so panicked by the tremors she suffered a heart attack, police said.
Tremors were felt more than 900 miles away from the epicenter in New Delhi, India, where people streamed out of buildings as the quake hit.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was praying for everyone's safety, and that the government was ready to assist where required.
Heard about strong earthquake in Afghanistan-Pakistan region whose tremors have been felt in parts of India. I pray for everyone's safety.
I have asked for an urgent assessment and we stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan & Pakistan.
Images of the damage to northern parts of India have been circulating on social media.
Pictures: Massive #earthquake jolts parts of North India - Delhi, Haryana, Kashmir, Punjab https://t.co/fid6yKYDqQ
NDTV posted footage of their newsroom in Delhi when the quake struck.
#Earthquake visuals from #NDTVNewsroom: Massive tremors felt in #Delhi #Kashmir #Haryana #Punjab https://t.co/IFIniGWEVs
A clip of a broadcast on Afghan news station Ariana being interrupted by the earthquake has also been circulated widely:
Afghan news anchor interrupted by powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake during broadcast. https://t.co/b9xa0I3kdV
Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah tweeted the earthquake was one of the most powerful the country has felt in recent decades.
Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah: today's earthquake was the strongest one felt in the recent decades. 1
He later added that there are reports of heavy casualties, but that the government are yet to release them.
Kabul, Afghanistan-based NBC News journalist Fazul Rahim described the quake as the largest he had ever felt.
That was by far the biggest and longest earthquake I have ever experienced. Hope it has not caused any damage and casualties!
Pakistani eyewitness Farzana Malik described the quake as the worst three minutes of her life.
The most horrible 3 minutes of my life. Have never come across something like this before. Never. Allah Reham!!! #Earthquake
Phone lines in the Pakistani city of Lahore were down following the earthquake, according to a BBC journalist based there. Buildings were also evacuated in the city.
Powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 jolts Lahore; evacuation of Arfa Technology Park. Hope everyone is safe.