Northern Afghanistan Earthquake Kills Nine, Hundreds Injured Quickly

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan overnight, killing at least nine people and injuring hundreds, officials said on Monday. The epicentre was near Mazar-i-Sharif at a depth of 28 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake caused widespread panic as residents ran into the streets fearing building collapses.

Four people died in Balkh province, where Mazar-i-Sharif is the capital, and the provincial hospital treated around 120 injured residents. In neighboring Samangan province, five people were killed, and 143 others were wounded, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. Most of the injured have returned home after receiving treatment.

Poor infrastructure and communication networks have historically slowed disaster response in Afghanistan, making it difficult to reach remote villages quickly. Steep roads and isolated areas prevent timely aid delivery. Past earthquakes have shown that emergency responses can take hours or even days.

This earthquake comes months after previous deadly tremors in eastern and western Afghanistan that killed hundreds and destroyed thousands of homes. The country faces repeated natural disasters amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, with drought, hunger, and economic restrictions affecting millions.

Afghanistan lies along the seismically active Hindu Kush mountain range, where tectonic plates meet. Many homes are poorly built, increasing the risk of collapse during quakes. Authorities and aid agencies continue to urge preparedness as the country faces frequent natural disasters.

Read More : 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.