Alarming Earthquake In Asia Many Dead

In the Afghan city of Taloqan, 12 schoolgirls were reportedly killed in a stampede while trying to escape from shaking buildings.

At least 33 people have died in Afghanistan and 228 in Pakistan, according to officials in each country.

More than 300 people have reportedly been killed after an earthquake of 7.5 magnitude struck Afghanistan, with the effects felt hundreds of miles away.

The US Geological Survey put the epicentre south of Feyzabad in northern Afghanistan - but witnesses said the impact was felt as far away as New Delhi, Islamabad and Lahore.

Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said in a tweet that the earthquake was "the strongest one felt in recent decades".

The Indian-controlled Kashmir region reported two deaths.

Pakistan military spokesman General Asim Bajwa said nearly 1,000 were injured.

The remote location of the epicentre, part of the Hindu Kush near the Tajikistan and Pakistan borders, could be a blessing - though it also means the exact number of casualties may take days to emerge as communications are poor.

People in Pakistan immediately took to Twitter to describe what they experienced.

‏@CricketRebel said: "Just felt earthquake in #lahore, whole house shook for 10 seconds or more. It was by far the most terrifying quake I have felt. #Pakistan."