Deadly 7.5 magnitude earthquake jolts southern Asia

By Kelly Cohen, Kelly Cohen

Published December 20, 2015

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit southern Asia Monday afternoon, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The USGS issued an orange alert on the quake. "Significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread," the agency said. "Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response."

According to reports, the quake was felt in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

"Reports coming of damage and injuries in north eastern Afghanistan," Abdullah Abdullah, chief executive of Afghanistan, said in a tweet. "Disasters authorities to meet within the hour and respond to the needs."