Powerful 6.3 Earthquake Hits Northern Afghanistan, Killing Seven and Injuring Scores

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake occurred at a depth of 28 km near the city, which is home to more than 500,000 people. Samim Joyanda, spokesperson for the Samangan provincial health department, confirmed that the casualties were based on hospital records collected as of Monday morning.

The USGS issued an orange alert through its PAGER system, warning that “significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread,” a level that typically requires a regional or national response.

Part of the historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif was damaged, according to Balkh province spokesperson Hajji Zaid. Videos shared on social media showed rescue teams pulling bodies from rubble and buildings reduced to debris, though the full extent of destruction is still unclear.

Afghanistan has suffered several devastating earthquakes in recent years. In 2023, a massive quake in Herat province killed over 1,500 people and destroyed more than 63,000 homes. Another shallow 6.0-magnitude tremor in August this year claimed over 2,200 lives, making it the deadliest quake in the country in decades.

Located along the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, Afghanistan is highly prone to seismic activity. Decades of conflict, widespread poverty, weak infrastructure, and poorly built homes make rescue and recovery efforts particularly difficult.

Since 1900, northeastern Afghanistan has experienced 12 earthquakes stronger than magnitude 7, according to British Geological Survey seismologist Brian Baptie.