Following heavy snows in Salang Pass linking Kabul to the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif on Monday, at least 25 avalanches took place in the area, the Afghan Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Around 1,500 people have been rescued so far, it said.

At least 200 passenger vehicles are still trapped under the snow, an official said, adding that rescuers worked through the night to save dozens of people still stranded there.

Hundreds of Afghan soldiers have been mobilized for rescue efforts along with four helicopters, ambulances and bulldozers, the Defense Ministry statement said.