A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake has struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif, killing at least 10 people and injuring about 260.

The death toll likely to keep rising, authorities say.

The US Geological Survey (USGC) said the quake hit early on Monday at a depth of 28km near Mazar-e Sharif, which has a population of about 523,000.

"A total of 150 people injured and seven martyred have been reported and transferred to health centres as of this morning," said Samim Joyanda, the spokesperson for the health department in Samangan, a mountainous northern province near Mazar-e Sharif told Reuters.

The toll was based on hospital reports collected on Monday morning, he said.

The Afghan Taliban defence ministry said parts of Balkh and Samangan provinces were the most affected

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