A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, leaving at least 20 people dead and hundreds injured as rescue teams rushed to assist survivors in the affected areas.
According to local authorities, the epicenter was near Khulm in Balkh Province, and strong tremors were felt across Samangan, Baghlan, and surrounding regions. The quake caused widespread panic, collapsing homes and damaging public buildings. Emergency teams reported that dozens of families were trapped under debris as aftershocks continued to shake the area.
In Mazar-e-Sharif, one of the country’s largest cities, the iconic Blue Mosque suffered visible damage — broken tiles, cracked walls, and minor structural harm — though the main building remains intact. Rescue operations are underway as authorities fear the casualty count could rise due to ongoing search and recovery efforts in remote districts.
Hospitals in Balkh and Samangan provinces are reportedly overwhelmed with patients suffering from fractures, head injuries, and trauma. Medical officials have appealed for urgent blood donations and medical supplies to cope with the rising number of victims.
The Afghan Disaster Management Authority confirmed that several villages near the epicenter sustained “serious structural damage,” while communication networks remain disrupted in some rural areas. Rescue efforts are being hindered by poor road access and power outages.
Afghanistan, which lies along a major seismic fault line, frequently experiences earthquakes. Monday’s disaster adds to the country’s ongoing humanitarian challenges, as thousands remain displaced from earlier natural calamities this year
