7.7 quake in Afghanistan, felt in Kathmandu also, over dozens reported killed in Pakistan, Afghanistan

KABUL/ KATHMANDU: An earthquake measuring 7.7 magnitude struck in northeastern Afghanistan on Monday, the US Geological Survey said, sending tremors that were felt in India and Pakistan.

The quake was 196 km (120 miles) deep and centred 82 km southeast of Feyzabad in a remote area of Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush mountain range. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The tremors were felt in different parts of Nepal including Kathmandu.

"There are reports of casualties and destruction" in some remote districts of Badakhshan, said the provincial director of the national disaster management authority, Abdullah Humayoon Dehqan.

Power was cut across much of the Afghan capital, where tremors were felt for around 45 seconds. Houses shook, walls cracked and cars rolled in the street. Officials in the capital could not be immediately reached as telephones appeared to be cut across the country.

"I was praying when the massive earthquake rattled my home. I came out in a panic," said Munir Anwar, a resident of Liaquat Pur in the eastern Punjab province.

Strong tremors were felt in Kabul, New Delhi and Islamabad on Monday. In the Pakistani capital, walls swayed back and forth and people poured out of office buildings in a panic, reciting verses from the Quran.

Vineet Gahlot, the director of seismology at the Indian Meteorological Department, said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 and an epicenter deep in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Pakistan state TV reported the same magnitude.

The full extent of the damage and the number of possible casualties was not yet known.

However, Indian media has reported that at least 27 people died in Pakistan, leaving over 100 injured. No casualities reported in India.

Shocked to hear about massive earthquake in North India, Pakistan n Afganistan. Hope the damage isn't serious. Pray to God for safety of all

— Kamal Thapa (@KTnepal) October 26, 2015

Heard about strong earthquake in Afghanistan-Pakistan region whose tremors have been felt in parts of India. I pray for everyone's safety.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 26, 2015

I have asked for an urgent assessment and we stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan & Pakistan. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 26, 2015

Khalid Khan, a Pakistani cyber Journalist as well as Disaster Relief Activist has tweeted that one died in Kasur, two in Charsadda, two in Swat and one in Swabi.

The earthquake of local magnitude 7.6 that struck Nepal six months ago on April 25 left more than 9,000 people dead and over 900,000 houses destroyed.

Pakistani dies when roof collapses from quake

State-run Pakistani television says the roof collapsed Monday in the eastern city of Kasur. It says other homes collapsed in northern Pakistan, without providing further details.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked authorities to utilise all resources to help any victims of the earthquake.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, with an epicenter in a remote part of northern Afghanistan, was felt in cities across Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

In Kabul, the earthquake caused widespread power outages and telephone cuts. There were no immediate reports of major damage.