Powerful earthquake kills at least 20 and injures hundreds in Afghanistan

People search among the rubble of a destroyed house in northern Afghanistan (Sirat Noori/AP)

A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake has shaken northern Afghanistan, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 500 others, a health official said.

The US Geological Survey said the quake’s epicentre was located 14 miles from the town of Khulm, and that it struck at 12.59am at a depth of 17 miles.