ISTANBUL 

At least eight people were killed and 180 injured after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday.

Confirming initial reports to Bakhtar News Agency, Qari Lutfallah Habibi, the head of public health in Samangan province, noted that the numbers may rise.

Rescue efforts are reportedly ongoing.

The earthquake also caused financial losses, TOLO News reported, citing the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority.

The quake occurred at approximately 1 am local time (2030GMT Sunday) at a depth of 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) near Mazar-e-Sharif, one of the country's largest cities, said the US Geological Survey (USGS).