Afghan avalanche, snowfall toll escalates to 216

At least 216 people were killed and 27 injured after snowfall and avalanches hit Afghanistan, an official said Friday.

"Our data collected so far confirms the death of 216 people, including women and children, in the avalanches and snowfall across the country and while 27 sustained injuries," the official told Xinhua news agency.

He also added that the vast majority of the victims are in Panjshir province as 182 people have been confirmed dead in the mountainous province.

Hundreds of houses have been destroyed and damaged due to heavy snowfall and avalanches that swept parts of the mountainous country for three successive days starting from Sunday, the official said.

Rescue operations were going on and humanitarian assistance has been dispatched to the affected areas, the official added.