A powerful earthquake hit northeastern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least 23 people and injuring more than 400.

The United States Geological Survey says the quake with a magnitude of 5.6 struck near the town of Mirpur on Tuesday afternoon at an estimated depth of ten kilometers.

Local officials say that roads have cracks and some houses have collapsed in areas near the epicenter.

The Pakistani government has sent troops to the affected areas to rescue people believed to be trapped under the rubble.

Mirpur is in a Pakistani-controlled area of Kashmir.

NHK