Earthquake hits Afghanistan

A strong earthquake measuring more than six on the Richter scale has struck northern Afghanistan.

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

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 United Nations 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.

A month ago, an earthquake in the Indian state of Gujarat killed tens of thousands of people.