Kabul: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale jolted several provinces across Afghanistan early Monday, claiming at least five lives and injuring 143 others, officials said.
According to the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), the tremor struck shortly after 1 a.m. local time, shaking large parts of the country — including its northern, central, western, and eastern regions. Preliminary assessments suggest that the epicentre was located in Samangan province, where the majority of casualties and damage occurred.
In a statement shared on social media, the agency confirmed, “Initial reports indicate that Samangan was the worst affected. Five people lost their lives and 143 sustained injuries. Most of the injured have been treated and allowed to return home.”
Authorities also reported property damage, though detailed information on the extent of the destruction is still being compiled. ANDMA said it has been coordinating with provincial and district-level officials to expedite rescue and relief efforts.
The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) in India recorded the quake at a depth of 23 kilometers, with coordinates 36.51°N latitude and 67.50°E longitude. Tremors were felt as far away as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, according to reports from regional media outlets.
Monday’s earthquake comes just weeks after a similar disaster struck eastern Afghanistan in September, killing over 1,400 people and injuring thousands more. That quake, centered in Nangarhar province near the Pakistan border, left widespread devastation across several districts.
Afghanistan lies in one of the world’s most earthquake-prone zones, with frequent seismic activity occurring along the Hindu Kush mountain range. Poor infrastructure and limited emergency resources often exacerbate the toll of such natural disasters, leaving rural communities especially vulnerable.
As emergency teams continue to assess the situation, officials have urged residents in affected areas to remain cautious amid the risk of aftershocks.
