Afghanistan's Taliban government says a powerful earthquake in the country's north has killed at least 20 people and left hundreds injured.

At least 20 people have died after an earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, local authorities say, with the toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. Hundreds have also been left injured, local officials told the BBC.

A strong earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least 19 people and injuring hundreds more, though the death toll is expected to rise.

Afghan officials say a powerful, 6.3 magnitude earthquake that shook northern Afghanistan overnight killed at least 20 people

KABUL (Reuters) -A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early on Monday, killing at least 20 people, injuring hundreds and damaging the city's historic Blue Mosque, authorities said, with the death toll likely to rise.

A strong, 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in Afghanistan on Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The temblor happened at 12:59 a.m. Afghanistan time about 14 miles southwest of Khulm, Afghanistan, data from the agency shows.

A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s north on Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring around 320. The earthquake hit Kholm near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in the Hindu Kush at around 12.49am local time. It was located at a depth of around 28km, according to the US Geological Survey.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are expected to resume peace talks in Istanbul to revive a dialogue that collapsed earlier this week, according to Pakistan's defense minister, two officials and state media i

Sharif, a northern city known for its magnificent Blue Mosque. The extent of the damage was not immediately clear.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to maintain a ceasefire after peace talks in Istanbul, according to Turkey's Foreign Ministry.

Relations between the two neighbors hit a low point this month, with fighting killing people on both sides of the border. At issue is a rise in militancy in Pakistan since the Taliban took over Afghanistan.

At least 20 people died and 643 others were injured after the tremors, deputy spokesman for Afghanistan's National Disaster Management Authority said