An emergency official says an earthquake in southern Kyrgyzstan completely destroyed the village of Nura, killing at least 72 people and injuring more than 100.
The Emergency Situations minister Kamchybek Tashiyev says search and rescue operations are continuing.
The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at six-point-six magnitude. The quake struck Sunday night and was centered 65 kilometers southeast of Sary-Tash.
Kyrgyzstan's president Kurmanbek Bakiyev is expected Tuesday to survey the devastation in the remote village near the country's mountainous border with China.
Russia's emergency situations ministry is sending humanitarian aid, including tents, to Kyrgyzstan.
Another strong quake, registering nearly six in magnitude, hit central Afghanistan Monday. Officials say the quake was centered about 70 kilometers southeast of the capital, Kabul. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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