Powerful earthquake rocks Afghanistan, killing more than 800 and destroying villages, officials say

Kabul, Afghanistan — A strong earthquake in far eastern Afghanistan killed more than 800 people and left at least 2,500 wounded as it destroyed numerous villages, a spokesman for the country's Taliban government said Monday. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told journalists in Kabul that the vast majority of the casualties were in Kunar province, but that 12 people were killed and 255 injured in neighboring Nangarhar.

The quake struck several towns in Kunar province late on Sunday evening, near the city of Jalalabad in neighboring Nangahar province. The 6.0 magnitude quake struck at 11:47 p.m. local time (3:17 p.m. Eastern) and was centered 17 miles east-northeast of Jalalabad, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It was just five miles deep. Shallower earthquakes tend to cause more damage.