Powerful 6.3 earthquake hits northern Afghanistan

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit near Mazar-e-Sharif, one of Afghanistan’s largest cities, at around 1 a.m. local time Monday (20:30 GMT Sunday).

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake had a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles) and was classified as orange alert, meaning significant casualties were likely.

At least 20 dead, 530 injured

The Taliban government’s health ministry confirmed that at least 20 people were killed and more than 530 injured in the disaster.

Haji Zaid, a Taliban spokesman in Balkh province, said the hardest-hit area was the Sholgara district, south of Mazar-e-Sharif.

“Reports indicate minor injuries and damages across the province, with most injuries caused by people falling from tall buildings,” Zaid wrote on X.

Nationwide power outage reported

The quake triggered widespread power outages across the country, including in Kabul, after transmission lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan—major power suppliers to Afghanistan—were damaged.

Residents in Mazar-e-Sharif fled their homes and rushed to the streets fearing buildings might collapse, according to local reports.

Historic Blue Mosque damaged

Videos shared on social media showed debris scattered around the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, a 15th-century landmark revered by Shia Muslims.

The mosque is believed to house the tomb of the first Shia Imam, the son-in-law and cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, and is a key site for pilgrims.

Rescue efforts face challenges

Taliban authorities said rescue teams have been deployed, but efforts are being hampered by poor infrastructure and limited communication networks.

Officials warned that the death toll may rise as search operations continue in remote areas.

A country prone to deadly quakes

This latest quake follows a 6.0-magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan in August, which killed more than 1,100 people.

Afghanistan lies on the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions.