The death toll of a massive avalanche in Salang Pass, 90 km north of Afghan capital Kabul, has reached to 165 including women and children, acting Minister for Public Health Soraya Dalil said on Wednesday.

"The latest report received by the Ministry of Public Health shows that 165 people, including nine women and five children have lost their lives in the past two days due to over two dozen avalanches that hit Salang Pass in several places," Dalil told a joint press conference.

The natural disaster also injured 135 people, 66 of them in critical condition, she added.

"Although the road from southern part of Salang to north has been opened, still it is difficult for rescue teams to reach victims who are trapped in heavy snow," she further said.

The essential Salang Pass is the only asphalt highway linking Kabul to Afghanistan's northern provinces.

However, officials at the site say that the number of casualties could be higher as rescue operation is continuing.

More than 1,500 people have been rescued by Afghan rescue teams with the support of NATO-led forces.

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