A powerful overnight earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 500, authorities said on Monday — the latest in a tragic series of natural disasters to hit the country.
The 6.3-magnitude quake, recorded at a depth of 28 kilometres (17 miles), had its epicentre near the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Health ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman confirmed that 534 people were injured, with fatalities reported across Samangan and Balkh provinces.
In Mazar-i-Sharif, one of Afghanistan’s largest cities, residents rushed into the streets in panic as buildings shook. The city’s historic Blue Mosque, a 15th-century architectural treasure, sustained visible damage — with fragments from a minaret scattered across its courtyard.
Shocks were felt as far as Kabul, more than 400 kilometres to the south.
Widespread Destruction and Delayed Response
Afghanistan’s rugged terrain and weak communications often delay disaster response efforts. Authorities said rescue teams were working to reach affected communities, many located in remote mountainous areas.
The defence ministry announced it had cleared the main road between Mazar-i-Sharif and Kholm, rescuing travellers stranded overnight.
“Numerous homes have been destroyed, and significant material losses have been incurred,” said Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban government.
A Country Repeatedly Hit by Disaster
The quake is the third major seismic catastrophe the Taliban administration has faced since 2021 — a period during which foreign aid, once crucial to Afghanistan’s economy, has sharply declined.
In August, a 6.0-magnitude quake in the east killed more than 2,200 people, wiping out entire villages. According to the World Bank, the damage exceeded $183 million.
Major earthquakes in Herat in 2023 and Nangarhar in 2022 also killed hundreds and destroyed thousands of homes, highlighting the vulnerability of Afghanistan’s poorly constructed, war-weakened housing stock.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The earthquake adds to Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian emergency, already strained by prolonged drought, strict economic restrictions, and the recent mass return of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan.
The United Nations has warned that hunger and displacement are rising, with millions in urgent need of assistance.
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