Massive earthquake

Massive earthquake shakes South Asia

More than 240 reported dead in Afghanistan and Pakistan as powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake rocks South Asia.

A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake has struck in northern Afghanistan and has been felt in a large area from northern India to Pakistan with scores of people killed across the region.

The US Geological Survey put the epicentre of Monday's quake near Jarm in Afghanistan's northeast, 250km from the capital Kabul and at a depth of 213km. The total death toll stood at 249 with at least 185 people killed in Pakistan and at least 64 more in Afghanistan, according to official reports from the two countries.

Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, cut short his visit to the United Kingdom to fly home to deal with the emergency.

Hikmat Fasi, a resident of Parwan Province in northern Afghanistan, said the quake caused a lot of damage in the area.

"We are safe but I saw a lot of buildings collapse," Hikmat Fasi said. "It [earthquake] caused severe damage to our area. We are just praying."

According to the Inter-Service public relations office, all military hospitals and helicopters were put on standby and high alert.

Strong tremors were also felt in New Delhi and Islamabad, residents said, as authorities in India and Pakistan issued warnings for strong aftershocks.

Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said walls in the Pakistani capital swayed back and forth as people poured out of office buildings in a panic.

At least 38 people died in northwest Pakistan, officials told Al Jazeera, as reports of damage or casualties were trickling in from across the country. At least another 100 were injured, initial reports said.