A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif early Monday, leaving at least 20 people dead, hundreds injured, and parts of the city’s historic Blue Mosque damaged, officials have confirmed.
According to the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), 643 people were injured, including 25 in critical condition. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue across affected areas.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 28 kilometers (17.4 miles), near Mazar-e-Sharif — a city of over half a million people known for its religious and historical landmarks.
Mohammad Rahim, a resident of Tashqurghan district close to the epicenter, described the terrifying moment the tremors began.
“The earth shook violently for about 15 seconds. When we got outside, there was so much dust we couldn’t see anything,” he told Reuters.
Rahim said his mother and brother were trapped under rubble but were later rescued by neighbors and emergency workers.
Health Ministry spokesperson Sharfat Zaman said rescue and medical teams had been deployed to the affected areas, and all nearby hospitals were placed on high alert. Footage released by the Afghan Ministry of Defence showed soldiers digging through debris and recovering bodies, including that of a young girl. Reuters noted it could not independently verify the footage.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it was supporting rescue efforts.
“We stand with the affected communities and will provide necessary support,” the agency stated.
India also pledged humanitarian assistance, with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announcing that relief materials and medicines were being dispatched to Afghanistan.
Haji Zaid, spokesperson for Balkh Province, confirmed that the revered Blue Mosque — believed to be the burial site of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad — sustained damage. Videos verified by Reuters showed shattered tiles and fallen masonry in the courtyard, though the main dome and minarets appeared intact.
The disaster comes as Afghanistan continues to grapple with multiple crises, including the aftermath of an August earthquake that killed thousands in the east, declining international aid, and mass deportations of refugees from neighboring countries.
The national power company, Da Afghanistan Breshna, reported that the quake disrupted electricity in several regions, including the capital, Kabul. Aid agency Save the Children warned that the timing of the quake, just before winter, could worsen the humanitarian situation.
“As temperatures fall, thousands of children in the earthquake-devastated east are already facing the cold with only tents for shelter. Now, families in the north are also experiencing fear and uncertainty,” said Samira Sayed Rahman, the organization’s advocacy director.
Afghanistan sits on several active fault lines, making it highly prone to earthquakes. More than 2,200 people were killed in a series of tremors that struck the country in late August.
