Massive earthquake hits Afghanistan, deaths reported across South Asia

A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan on Monday, with massive tremors felt across Pakistan and India, leaving hundreds dead and many more injured across the region.

The total death toll stood at 249, with at least 185 people killed in Pakistan and at least 64 more in Afghanistan, according to official reports from the two countries.

The death toll could climb in coming days because communications were down in much of the rugged Hindu Kush, where the quake was centered.

The U.S. Geological Survey put the epicenter near Jarm in Afghanistan's northeastern province of Badakhshan, 150 miles from the capital, Kabul, with effects felt in India and Pakistan.

At least 10 reported killed in Pakistan factory collapse

The accident at the site under construction trapped scores of other workers, with more feared dead

A factory building under construction on the outskirts of Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore collapsed on Wednesday, killing at least 10 workers and injuring dozens, officials said.

Rescue official Jam Sajjad Hussain said emergency teams were using heavy machinery to pull out bodies and survivors as dozens remained trapped under the rubble. Initial reports on the number of casualties put the number of dead at as many as 20.