Deadly 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Northern Afghanistan, Leaving 20 Dead

Tue Nov 04 2025 04:33:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A powerful earthquake near Mazar-e-Sharif has resulted in numerous casualties and significant injuries, complicating rescue efforts in northern Afghanistan.

At least 20 people have reportedly died and over 530 have been injured following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Afghanistan's northern region early Monday. Local authorities indicate that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue. The earthquake caused extensive damage, especially in Mazar-e-Sharif, leading to widespread panic among residents and power outages across the country.

At least 20 people have died after an earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, local authorities say, with the toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

Hundreds have also been left injured, according to officials. The earthquake struck near Mazar-e-Sharif, one of the country's largest cities with approximately 500,000 residents, at around 01:00 local time on Monday (20:30 GMT on Sunday).

The quake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, had a depth of 28km (17 miles) as reported by the US Geological Survey and was classified with an orange alert level, signifying that significant casualties were likely.

More than 530 individuals have been reported injured by the Taliban government health ministry. Provincial officials warned that the number of casualties is likely to increase as ongoing rescue operations unfold.

Haji Zaid, a Taliban spokesman in Balkh province, indicated that many people are injured in the Sholgara district, south of Mazar-e-Sharif. Most injuries, he noted, resulted from individuals falling from tall buildings as residents fled to the streets in fear of potential building collapses.

The earthquake also disrupted power supply nationwide, including in the capital, Kabul, due to damage inflicted on electricity lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. A video released by a provincial Taliban spokesman showed debris around the revered Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, a significant site for Shia Muslims.

This tremor follows a previous deadly earthquake in late August, which registered at 6.0 magnitude and resulted in over 1,100 fatalities. Afghanistan's geographical location on multiple fault lines puts it at continuous risk for seismic events, compounded by poor infrastructure and communication systems.