A least five dead as powerful quake hits cities across south Asia

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in northern Afghanistan has rocked cities across South Asia.

Strong tremors were felt in Kabul, New Delhi and Islamabad on Monday. In the Pakistani capital, walls swayed back and forth and people poured out of office buildings in a panic, reciting verses from the Koran.

Vineet Gahlot, the director of seismology at the Indian Meteorological Department, said the earthquake had an epicentre deep in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Pakistan state TV reported the same 7.7 magnitude.

At least five people were killed by the quake, a rescue official in north-western Pakistan said.

Another 100 people were injured when their homes collapsed in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.