The death toll from the earthquake that struck the northern Afghan provinces of Balkh and Samangan early Monday has risen to 20, with more than 300 people injured, according to Afghan government officials. Rescue teams from the Ministry of Defense have deployed to the affected areas as efforts continue to locate survivors.

Earlier local authorities reported seven fatalities and around 150 injuries, but numbers climbed as rescue operations progressed following the 6.3-magnitude quake.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 28 kilometers near the town of Khulm, east of Mazar-i-Sharif, a major northern city. Residents in Kabul and neighboring countries including Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also felt the tremors.

Significant damage was reported in Mazar-i-Sharif, home to more than half a million people. The Afghan National Disaster Management Authority said further updates on casualties and damage would be released as information becomes available.