A powerful magnitude 6.3 earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan. The tremor hit near Mazar-e-Sharif, a major city, just before 1 a.m. local time.
At least 20 people have been killed. More than 640 others have been injured. Officials warn these numbers could rise as rescue efforts continue. The quake also damaged the historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif.
The United States Geological Survey reported the quake’s epicentre. It was 22 kilometres west-southwest of the town of Khulm. It occurred at a shallow depth of 28 kilometres. The tremor was felt across several provinces. These include Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, and Kunduz.
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Rescue efforts underway amid destruction
Rescue teams are on the ground in the affected regions. The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority confirmed the current casualty figures. They stated 25 of the injured are in critical condition.
Health ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman said nearby hospitals are on standby. Most of the injured suffered minor wounds and have been discharged.
Many homes, particularly mud-brick houses in rural areas, have collapsed. In the town of Khulm, residents were seen digging through rubble. They searched for belongings among the ruins of their homes. The earthquake also caused a power outage across the country. This includes the capital, Kabul. Power lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were damaged.
The 15th-century Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif sustained damage. Images show fallen masonry and tiles in the mosque’s courtyard. The main structure, however, remains standing.
This disaster adds to Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian challenges. The country is still recovering from another deadly earthquake in August. International bodies, including the United Nations, are assessing the situation. They are providing support to the affected communities.
