Powerful 6.3-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan, Killing at Least 20

At least 20 people have been killed following a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan, according to the Taliban authorities.

The quake struck near Mazar-e Sharif, a major city in the northern Balkh province, at around 12:59 a.m. on Monday (8:29 p.m. UK time). The Taliban’s Health Ministry reported that around 320 people were injured, and spokesperson Sharfat Zaman warned that the death toll could increase as rescue efforts continue.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) issued an orange alert, indicating a high likelihood of severe casualties and widespread damage. The agency noted that past quakes of similar magnitude at this alert level have often required national or regional emergency responses.

Haji Zaid, a spokesperson for Balkh province, said the quake also caused partial destruction to the city’s famous Blue Mosque, one of Afghanistan’s most revered landmarks.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it is assessing the situation on the ground and delivering aid, expressing solidarity with the affected communities.

Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan’s fifth-largest city with a population of about 523,000, lies in a region prone to seismic activity. The country sits on two major fault lines, making it highly susceptible to earthquakes.

In September, a 6.0-magnitude quake in eastern Afghanistan killed over 1,400 people and injured more than 3,000, destroying villages in the Mazar Dara valley. Similarly, four major earthquakes hit Herat province in 2023, each measuring 6.3 in magnitude, leaving at least 2,445 people dead.