At least 20 people were killed and hundreds were injured as a result of an earthquake in northern Afghanistan. Rescue operations are ongoing.
The earthquake occurred near Mazar-i-Sharif at around 01:00 local time. Its magnitude was 6.3, with a depth of 28 km. Local officials are reporting power outages and building collapses.
The Sholgara and Samangan areas were particularly affected, and damage was also sustained by the Blue Mosque.
Afghanistan is located in a highly seismically active region, and rescue efforts are complicated by weak infrastructure.
Last August, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake also occurred in the country, killing over 1,100 people.
