The quake struck overnight as many people slept in their beds, and was felt as far away as India.
Image source, Afghan government news agencyA powerful earthquake has killed at least 250 people and left scores injured in Afghanistan, a local official has told the BBC.
Pictures shared on social media showed people on stretchers, rubble and ruined homes in Paktika province.
A local government official told the BBC the death toll of more than 250 was likely to rise, and that more than 150 others had been injured.
The quake struck about 44km (27 miles) from the south-eastern city of Khost.
Tremors were felt across more than 500km of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, quoted by Reuters
The centre said that witnesses had reported feeling the quake in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, as well as Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.
“Unfortunately, last night there was a severe earthquake in four districts of Paktika province, which killed and injured hundreds of our countrymen and destroyed dozens of houses,” government spokesman Bilal Karimi tweeted.
“We urge all aid agencies to send teams to the area immediately to prevent further catastrophe.”