According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was near the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province and its depth was recorded at 8 kilometers.

According to reports, the earthquake struck at 11:47 pm local time, and about 20 minutes later, another tremor measuring 4.5 in magnitude was felt in the same province, with a depth of 10 kilometers.

Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a message on social media that the earthquake that struck tonight caused loss of life and property.

A Taliban figure who is organising efforts to transport dead bodies by helicopters said that in one village 21 people have died and 35 are injured.

Even now, aftershocks are being felt in many districts of the province, he added.

Most of the damage from the earthquake is believed to be found in Kunar province, nearly 90% of its terrain is mountainous. Kunar province official said the "number of deaths is horrible".

But at this stage, nobody can provide exact figures as the affected areas are remote and hard to reach.

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Mobile networks are not working in some areas, while in other parts roads have been cut off by landslides and flooding.

Local authorities and residents are engaged in relief activities with the affected people.

He said that relief teams have been dispatched from the center and nearby provinces to participate in rescue and rehabilitation operations in the affected areas