Quake toll rises in Pakistan, Afghanistan

The Pakistan death toll after a powerful earthquake that rocked South Asia has jumped to at least 52, while 12 girls have been killed in a stampede in Afghanistan.

The toll stood at at least 28 in Pakistan's northern tribal areas, 20 in the northwest, three in Gilgit-Baltistan and one in Pakistani Kashmir, various officials said.

The 12 schoolgirls were killed after a stampede broke out in their school in the northern Afghan province of Takhar.

"The students rushed to escape the school building in Taluqan city (capital of Takhar), triggering a stampede," Takhar education department chief Enayat Naweed said.

"Twelve students, all minors, were killed and 35 others were injured."

Monday's 7.5 magnitude quake struck Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region, and has been felt throughout much of South Asia.

It lasted at least one minute, and shook buildings in Kabul, Islamabad and New Delhi.

The US Geological Survey put the epicentre near Jurm in northeast Afghanistan, 250 kilometres from the capital Kabul and at a depth of 213km.

Afghanistan's Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah said reports of damage and injuries were coming in from Afghanistan's northeast.

"Disasters authorities to meet within the hour and respond to the needs," he tweeted.

Traffic came to a stop in downtown Kabul, with people getting out of their cars as they waited for the quake to pass.

As buildings shook throughout north India, hundreds of people poured onto the streets from office blocks, hospitals and homes.

Delhi's metro ground to a halt during the tremor, although the airport continued operating.

Mobile phone networks were down in the Kashmir region where panicked residents also evacuated buildings, and school children were seen huddling together outside their school in the main city of Srinagar.

"Some bridges and buildings got damaged. There are no reports of loss of life so far. Cell phone networks are down, we are using our wireless network to gather information," said inspector general of police for the Kashmir region, Javid Gillani.

Arbab Muhammad Asim, district mayor of Peshawar in northwest Pakistan, said more than 100 people had been injured.

"Many houses and buildings have collapsed in the city," he said.

Dr Muhammad Sadiq, the head of emergency services at a government hospital in Peshawar, confirmed the number of injuries.

"Many more injured are still coming to hospital. Many are still under rubble," Sadiq told AFP.