Almost 150 dead after S. Asia quake

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake killed almost 150 people in Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan today, officials said. A tally from local and provincial authorities in Pakistan put the death toll there at 118, while at least 31 were confirmed dead in Afghanistan.

Hundreds more were injured as as the quake shook a swathe of the subcontinent, sending thousands of frightened people rushing into the streets in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

It was centred near Jurm in northeast Afghanistan, 250 kilometres (160 miles) from the capital Kabul and at a depth of 213.5 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

“Initial reports show a big loss of life, huge financial losses in Badakhshan, Takhar, Nangarhar, Kunar and other regions, including the capital Kabul,” said Afghanistan's chief executive Abdullah Abdullah. (AFP)