LONDON — A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday, destroying what one official described as several villages, although it was unclear early Monday how many casualties there were.

The powerful earthquake struck about 17 miles east of Jalalabad, near the border with Pakistan, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Afghan health minister said that several villages in the Nurgal district of Kunar — including Sholt, Arit, Mamagal, Wadir and others — had been all but destroyed. Others suffered significant damage, the minister said.

There was still no accurate information about casualties, the minister added early on Monday, saying that some of the injured had been evacuated. Rescue efforts were ongoing for others, the minister said.

“Sadly, tonight’s earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces,” Zabihullah Mujahid, a government spokesperson, said in a post on social media.

Mujahid said support teams from nearby provinces had been dispatched to the area.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

ABC News’ Will Gretsky contributed to this report.