Strong 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes northern Afghanistan

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck near Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan early Monday morning, causing significant destruction and casualties.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake’s epicenter was located about 28 kilometers underground, close to Mazar-i-Sharif — a city with an estimated population of over 523,000 people.

Provincial health officials reported that at least seven people have been killed and around 150 injured, many of whom were taken to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. Samim Jowenda, spokesperson for the Samangan Health Department, told Reuters that the figures were based on initial hospital reports and could rise as rescue efforts continue.

The USGS PAGER system issued an orange alert, indicating a high risk of casualties and widespread damage. The system suggested that the quake may trigger a regional or national emergency response due to its potential impact.

Haji Zaid, spokesperson for Balkh province, confirmed that part of the historic shrine in Mazar-i-Sharif had collapsed due to the tremors.

The National Disaster Management Authority said detailed assessments are underway and further updates on casualties and damages will be released later.

Videos circulating on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) showed rescuers pulling victims from rubble and damaged buildings, though Reuters could not independently verify the footage.

Afghanistan lies on two major seismic fault lines, making it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Asia. In recent years, several powerful quakes have devastated the region — including one in 2023 that killed over 1,000 people and another in 2015 that caused hundreds of deaths in Afghanistan and Pakistan.