Quake death toll rises to 83 in Afghanistan

The death toll from Monday's massive earthquake has risen to 83 in Afghanistan, local media reported on Tuesday.

The natural disaster also left hundreds of people injured.

"Monday's earthquake toll has risen to 83 and the death toll could rise as the remote areas could not be accessed," Tolo News, a local publication, said in its news bulletin.

Initial reports say that Badakhshan, the epicenter, and neighboring Kunar and Nuristan provinces are hardest hit in the mountainous country.

Officials have warned that the death toll could rise as the remote areas could not be accessed due to landslides and suspension of the telecommunication services.

Road blockage triggered by landslide was reported in northern Takhar province which leads to Badakhshan.

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has expressed his sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims.

"President Ghani has assigned an assessment committee to provide emergency assistance for the victims," a statement posted on the Presidential Palace's website said.

"Also, the president has directed the Ministry of Public Health to take immediate actions to provide treatment for the injured."

Sayed Zafar Hashemi, a presidential spokesman, said earlier Tuesday on his twitter account that 70 people had been confirmed dead across the country with 400 to 500 houses sustaining damage. Enditem