At least twelve newborn babies have died of unknown causes in Emergency Hospital in northern Panshir province of Afghanistan, the local officials said.

Provincial public health officials confirmed the death of the twelve newborns and said the main cause has not been ascertained so far.

The Head of Panshir Emergency Hospital Dr. Mohammad Akbar Jan confirmed twelve newborn babies, aged between six and fifteen days, died mysteriously on Sunday.

Dr. Akbar Jan further added that the cause and circumstances involved in the mysterious deaths of the newborns have not been ascertained so far.

He said the children, six from Parwan, three from Kapisa, and three others from Panshir, were kept in the emergency section of the hospital, and died between 9am and 2pm on Sunday.

In the meantime, the provincial officials are saying that an investigation is underway to ascertain the main cause involved in the mysterious deaths of the newborns.