A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday morning, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and over 300 injuries, as reported by health officials.
The quake’s epicenter was determined to be 22 kilometers west-southwest of Kulm, happening at 12:59 a.m., with a depth of about 27 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
According to Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry, there were at least 20 confirmed deaths and about 320 individuals injured.
Yousaf Hamad, a spokesperson for the Afghanistan Disaster Management Agency, mentioned that most of the injuries were minor, allowing for many to be treated and discharged from hospitals shortly after.
In Kabul, the Ministry of Defense reported the deployment of rescue and emergency response teams to the heavily affected Balkh and Samangan provinces. These teams initiated rescue operations, which included transporting the injured and aiding impacted families.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban government, expressed condolences via a post on X. He noted that the earthquake affected several provinces—Balkh, Samangan, and Baghlan—and that government agencies are working to provide necessary aid to those impacted.
Officials indicated the quake was felt in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province. Social media circulated videos showing structural damage to the historic Blue Mosque, where some bricks had fallen, yet the mosque itself remained largely intact. This mosque is known to be a significant religious site and a central location for community gatherings during Islamic celebrations.
Rescue operations were underway in various areas of Afghanistan following the earthquake. The Defense Ministry noted that a key mountain road linking Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif was briefly closed due to debris but has since reopened. Those injured on that road were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The United Nations in Afghanistan remarked on X that this earthquake occurred just weeks after another deadly tremor impacted eastern regions. They reported that their teams are on-site assessing needs and distributing emergency aid, stating, “We stand with the affected communities and provide them with the support they need.”
Afghanistan has experienced a series of earthquakes in recent years, and the country often struggles with disaster response, especially in its more remote areas. Many buildings are low-rise and constructed with concrete or brick, while rural homes are typically made of adobe or wood, often lacking sturdy construction.
Previously, on August 31, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake near the Pakistan border resulted in over 2,200 fatalities. Later, on October 7, 2023, a 6.3 magnitude quake and strong aftershocks claimed at least 4,000 lives, according to information from the Taliban government.
