A 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan on Monday afternoon at about 13:40 with its epicenter in the Jurm district of northeastern Badakhshan province, according to the US Geological Survey.

Initial reports put the earthquake at 7.7 but the USGS later downgraded it to 7.5 magnitude.

The powerful quake, which occurred in the Hindu Kush mountains - 256km north-east of Kabul city - jolted countries across the region including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, India and Pakistan. However the Pakistani Geological Center reports that the quake measured 8.1 in Islamabad and surrounding areas.

Early reports indicate extensive damage has been sustained to areas close to the epicenter. According to eyewitnesses, at least 13 people died and 35 others were injured when a school collapsed in northern Takhar province.

Some mobile network services in Kabul were down for almost two hours after the quake, and power outages were also reported. Hundreds of people left their offices and homes and fled out on to the streets to safety during the quake – which is said to have been the most powerful to hit the capital in many years.

One resident Sayed Hashemi said: "It was the most powerful earthquake I have ever felt in Kabul."

A Ghazni resident said: "The earthquake was so powerful that one of the [main city] gates of Ghazni city has collapsed".

Officials said a number of people have been admitted to hospital in Baghlan province after being injured in the quake. No details were available.

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