Mazar-e-Sharif: A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 300 others, officials confirmed. The tremor, which also caused damage to the centuries-old Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, has left rescue workers scrambling to reach remote areas amid fears the death toll could climb.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at a depth of 28 kilometers near Mazar-e-Sharif, a major city in Balkh province with a population of over half a million. The epicenter was located in a seismically active region that frequently experiences moderate to severe tremors.
Sharfat Zaman, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Health Ministry, said that around 320 people had been injured, many of whom were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. “Rescue and medical teams have been deployed to the affected areas, and all hospitals have been put on high alert,” he said, warning that casualty numbers could increase as more information comes in from surrounding districts.
Footage circulating on social media showed widespread destruction, with rescuers pulling victims from piles of debris and transporting the injured to ambulances. In some clips, parts of residential neighborhoods appeared flattened. While the videos have not yet been independently verified, officials confirmed that several homes and buildings collapsed in both Balkh and Samangan provinces.
Historic Blue Mosque Partially Damaged
One of the city’s most iconic landmarks — the Blue Mosque, known locally as the Shrine of Hazrat Ali — suffered visible damage. Balkh province spokesperson Haji Zaid said sections of the mosque’s exterior tiles and masonry were dislodged during the quake. The site, believed by many to be the resting place of Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, dates back to the 15th century and is one of Afghanistan’s most revered religious structures.
Images from the scene showed scattered fragments of blue tiles in the mosque’s courtyard, though officials confirmed that the main building remained structurally intact.
Infrastructure and Power Disruptions
The tremor also caused power outages in several parts of the country, including Kabul. Da Afghanistan Breshna Company, the national power supplier, said technicians were working to restore electricity to the affected areas.
The USGS issued a warning that “significant casualties are likely and the disaster may be widespread,” given the depth and intensity of the quake and the vulnerability of Afghanistan’s infrastructure.
A Country in Crisis
The earthquake adds to the growing list of challenges facing the Taliban-led government, which is already struggling with the aftermath of recent quakes, declining foreign aid, and a worsening humanitarian situation. In late August, a similar earthquake in southeastern Afghanistan killed over 2,200 people and left thousands more injured.
Experts note that Afghanistan lies on the intersection of multiple active fault lines, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in Asia. Decades of conflict and limited investment in disaster preparedness have left the country particularly vulnerable to such natural disasters.
As rescue operations continue, authorities fear that remote mountain villages — many with limited access to emergency services — may report additional casualties in the coming days.
