Earthquake hits northern Afghanistan

A strong earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan.

It was centred in the Hindu Kush mountains, near Faizabad -- the capital of the opposition-controlled Badakhshan province.

The earthquake registered more than six on the Richter scale, but geologists say the tremor took place deep underground and is likely to cause less damage than if it had been near the surface.

There was no immediate word of casualties but the human affairs office of the UN said it would take days for news to come through from remote areas.

The earthquake shook buildings in the Afghan capital, Kabul, where residents fled outdoors.

Similar scenes were also reported in other cities in northern areas of Pakistan and India, where the tremors were felt. An earthquake a month ago in the Indian state of Gujarat killed tens of thousands.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service