Dhaka, Nov. 3 -- The death toll from a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan early Monday has risen to at least 20, with around 260 others injured, officials said.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located about 22 kilometers west-southwest of Khulm town and struck at 12:59 a.m. local time at a depth of 28 kilometers. Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed the casualties and said most of the injured suffered minor wounds and were released after treatment.

Rescue and relief teams from the Ministry of Defense have reached the affected areas in Balkh and Samangan provinces - the hardest hit - to evacuate the injured and assist affected families...