At least 20 dead after magnitude-6.3 earthquake hits Afghanistan
At Least 20 Dead, Hundreds Injured as Earthquake Strikes Northern Afghanistan
A powerful earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 320, according to local authorities. The 6.3 magnitude quake hit near Mazar-e-Sharif, one of Afghanistan’s largest cities, in the early hours of Monday morning.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake’s depth at 28 kilometers (17 miles) and issued an orange alert, warning of likely significant casualties. Tremors were felt across Balkh and Samangan provinces, sending residents fleeing into the streets in panic.
Sharafat Zaman Amar, spokesperson for the Taliban health ministry, confirmed that casualties are expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. Provincial officials described extensive damage in several districts, with many injuries caused by people falling from tall buildings as they tried to escape.
Videos shared by Taliban officials on social media showed debris scattered across the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, a revered Shia religious site believed to house the tomb of the first Shia Imam.
Authorities in Samangan province also reported fatalities, while Taliban police units in Kabul said they were monitoring the situation closely.
The quake follows a 6.0 magnitude tremor that struck eastern Afghanistan in August, killing over 1,000 people. Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location on major tectonic fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian plates meet.
Rescue teams are now working against time to locate survivors amid fears of more aftershocks in the coming hours.
