Earthquake kills 22 in Afghanistan

The death toll from a magnitude 5.6 earthquake in Afghanistan's western province of Badghis has increased to 22, an official confirmed on Tuesday.

Baz Mohammad Sarwari, director of information and culture for Badghis province, said media that that 22 people were killed and another five injured by Monday's earthquake, which struck the hardest-hit district of Qadis.

It is estimated that at least 1,000 houses have been destroyed in Qadis, Muqur, and in the provincial capital Qala-e-Naw, the official said.

Official in his media brirefing added that "Local authorities were paying visits and monitoring the situation in affected areas in Badghis. They will try to coordinate the delivery work of relief assistance to the affected people,"

As per US Geological Survey information, the earthquake had a magnitude of 5.6 and struck 40 km east of the city of Qala-e-Naw on the Turkmenistan border.

According to the report, the epicentre located at 34.9479 degrees north latitude and 63.5686 degrees east longitude was initially determined to be ten kilometers deep. Several aftershocks were felt in the region as well.