The death toll from an earthquake that struck Afghanistan's eastern mountainous provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, bordering Pakistan, has risen to 622, Reuters news agency reported, citing a government official.

Mufti Abdul Matin, a spokesman for the country's interior ministry, said at least 610 people were killed in Kunar province, while another 12 were killed in Nangarhar province.

He said the number of injured in Kunar province is 1,300. On the other hand, more than 255 people have been injured in Nangarhar. A significant number of houses have been destroyed in both provinces.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck at 11:47 pm local time on Sunday. Its magnitude was 6.0 on the Richter scale. Its epicenter was 8 kilometers deep.

A local resident told the BBC that at least 13 aftershocks were felt in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces the night after the earthquake.

"I have never seen such a strong earthquake in my life," Polad Noori, 28, told the BBC.

Afghanistan's Health Ministry says initial reports indicate that 30 people have been killed in just one village.

Rescue operations are underway after the earthquake. However, landslides have blocked roads in many places in the remote mountainous areas after the earthquake. This is hampering rescue operations. Taliban government officials have called on relevant international aid organizations to assist in air rescue operations.