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Powerful earthquake strikes northern Afghanistan Powerful earthquake strikes northern Afghanistan
(35 minutes later)
A powerful earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan, with tremors felt as widely as Pakistan and northern India.A powerful earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan, with tremors felt as widely as Pakistan and northern India.
The magnitude 7.5 quake was centred in the mountainous Hindu Kush region, 45km (28 miles) south-west of Jarm, the US Geological Survey reported.The magnitude 7.5 quake was centred in the mountainous Hindu Kush region, 45km (28 miles) south-west of Jarm, the US Geological Survey reported.
In Pakistan, local news channels showed people evacuating office buildings. In Pakistan and India, local news channels showed people evacuating office buildings.
There is no official word on casualties but one report said four people had been killed in north-west Pakistan. Initial reports say at least 13 people have been killed in Pakistan.
There are also reports of a stampede triggered by the quake at a girls' school in the Afghan province of Takhar, which left 12 students dead.
Officials said the quake happened at a depth of 212km (133 miles). The magnitude was initially put at 7.7 but later downgraded.Officials said the quake happened at a depth of 212km (133 miles). The magnitude was initially put at 7.7 but later downgraded.
A BBC correspondent in the Pakistani city of Lahore said phone lines were down following the quake.A BBC correspondent in the Pakistani city of Lahore said phone lines were down following the quake.
People in the Indian capital Delhi ran into the streets after the tremor struck and schools and offices were evacuated. The Delhi metro was also briefly halted.People in the Indian capital Delhi ran into the streets after the tremor struck and schools and offices were evacuated. The Delhi metro was also briefly halted.
'Potentially damaging'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he had ordered an urgent assessment of any damage.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he had ordered an urgent assessment of any damage.
"We stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan and Pakistan," he said."We stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan and Pakistan," he said.
David Rothery, a professor of planetary geosciences at the UK's Open University, said the quake had the potential to be very damaging.David Rothery, a professor of planetary geosciences at the UK's Open University, said the quake had the potential to be very damaging.
"Fortunately it occurred at a depth of more than 200km and so the shaking of the ground surface was less than it would have been for a shallower earthquake of the same magnitude," he said."Fortunately it occurred at a depth of more than 200km and so the shaking of the ground surface was less than it would have been for a shallower earthquake of the same magnitude," he said.
The region has a history of powerful earthquakes caused by the northward collision of India with central Asia.The region has a history of powerful earthquakes caused by the northward collision of India with central Asia.
In 2005, a magnitude 7.6 quake in Pakistan-administered Kashmir left more than 75,000 people dead.In 2005, a magnitude 7.6 quake in Pakistan-administered Kashmir left more than 75,000 people dead.
In April this year, Nepal suffered its worst earthquake on record with 9,000 people killed and about 900,000 homes damaged or destroyed.In April this year, Nepal suffered its worst earthquake on record with 9,000 people killed and about 900,000 homes damaged or destroyed.
Have you been affected by the earthquake? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Have you been affected by the earthquake? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
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