SRINAGAR: At least ten people were killed and more than 250 injured when a powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan in the early hours on Monday, BBC reported.
According to the US Geological Survey, the 6.3-magnitude quake occurred at a depth of 28 kilometres, with its epicentre near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province. The tremor sent panicked residents running into the streets as buildings shook violently.
Provincial officials confirmed that four people were killed and 120 injured in Balkh, while neighbouring Samangan province reported five deaths and 143 injuries. “Most of the injured have returned home after receiving treatment,” said Mohammadullah Hamad, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Authorities said the quake also caused damage to the historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif. Rescue efforts were hampered by poor infrastructure and communications in the mountainous region, delaying assessments in remote villages.
The disaster adds to a series of devastating earthquakes that have struck Afghanistan since the Taliban took power in 2021. In August, a 6.0-magnitude quake in the east killed more than 2,200 people, while earlier quakes in Herat and Nangarhar provinces destroyed thousands of homes.
The United Nations and aid agencies have warned of worsening humanitarian conditions in the country, already reeling from drought, economic collapse, and mass deportations from neighbouring Iran and Pakistan.
Afghanistan, located along the seismically active Hindu Kush mountain range, remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes, with many homes poorly constructed and remote areas often cut off from timely assistance.
