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Deadly earthquake rocks Afghanistan, India and Pakistan

A powerful earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan, with tremors felt in Pakistan and northern India, the BBC reports.

At least 40 people are said to have been killed in Pakistan, with about 20 deaths reported in Afghanistan.

The magnitude 7.5 quake was centred in the mountainous Hindu Kush region, 75km (46 miles) south of Faizabad, the US Geological Survey reported.

Buildings were evacuated in the capitals of all three countries and communications disrupted in many areas.

In the Afghan province of Takhar, a stampede at a girls’ school triggered by the quake is reported to have left 12 students dead. Another 25 students were injured.

Five people died in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, hospital sources said.

Most of the casualties in Pakistan are reported to have happened in the northern tribal areas.

Officials said the quake happened at a depth of 212km. The magnitude was initially put at 7.7 but later downgraded.

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