Quake toll rises 83 in Afghanistan

The death toll from Monday's massive earthquake has risen to 83 in Afghanistan, the media reported on Tuesday.

The disaster measuring 7.5 on the Richter Scale, with its epicentre in the Hindu Kush range, also left around 300 people injured and around 4,000 houses damaged.

At least 12 school girls were among the 83 killed as a result of stampede after the quake, local officials in Nangarhar province said.

"The toll is expected to rise further as the remote areas could not be accessed due to landslides and suspension of the telecommunication services," Tolo News said on Tuesday.

Badakhshan province, Hindu Kush region, Kunar and Nuristan provinces are the hardest hit in the mountainous country.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has expressed his sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims.

"Ghani has assigned an assessment committee to provide emergency assistance for the victims," a statement posted on the Presidential Palace's website said.

Extensive damage has been reported in villages and towns across the northern and eastern region, where houses have been levelled in many instances.

The quake, believed to be the most powerful in the country's recent history, occurred around 1.40 p.m. (local time) on Monday.

India, the United Nations and the US have offered help to the victims in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In a telephonic conversation with Ghani, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the loss of lives and damages.

Modi, has showed his readiness to provide assistance to the quake hit countries.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and damages suffered by people in the earthquake.

The US has also expressed readiness to assist victims of the earthquake in both the countries.

The National Security Council (NSC) of Afghanistan is convening a meeting on Tuesday for discussing the aid delivery to those affected by the earthquake, according to Khaama press.

Ministry of Public Health is advised to take immediate measures for treating the injured people, Ghani said in a message published by the Presidential Palace.