At least 350 dead in Afghan landslide: United Nations

A landslide in north Afghanistan killed at least 350 people today, the United Nations said, adding that a major relief operation was underway to rescue those still trapped.

"The number of deceased has increased to 350 and significant displacement is expected," the UN mission in Afghanistan said in a statement.

"The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is helping with coordinating local authorities to rescue those still trapped.

"A response is being mobilised for those who survived but were displaced, with some partners already on the ground.

"Road access to affected area is secondary, but good. (It) cannot take heavy machinery."

The statement added that the NATO military was in touch with the Afghan army over the search and rescue effort.