(Kabul) A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 500, with the death toll likely to rise.
The earthquake occurred at 00:59 local time on Monday (November 3, 4:29 a.m. Singapore time). The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the epicenter was near Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, at a depth of 28 kilometers. The tremor was felt in Kabul, the capital, more than 400 kilometers away.
Mazar-i-Sharif has a population of approximately 523,000. The U.S. Geological Survey issued an orange alert, warning of the potential for significant casualties and widespread damage.
Afghan Health Ministry spokesman Sharahat reported that preliminary statistics showed 20 deaths and 534 injuries in Balkh province and neighboring Samangan province.
Afghanistan has numerous villages, and its mountainous terrain and weak communication networks and infrastructure hamper disaster response, preventing authorities from reaching remote villages for hours or even days to assess the extent of damage. The state-owned power supplier, Afghanistan's Electricity Company, said the earthquake caused power outages nationwide, including in Kabul.
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Local governments had previously warned that the death toll could rise further as communications were restored in the earthquake-stricken areas.
A spokesman for the Taliban government in Balkh province, Haji, said the earthquake damaged parts of the Blue Mosque, a religious sanctuary in Mazar-i-Sharif.
The mosque, considered one of Afghanistan's holiest sites, is traditionally believed to be the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law. The existing structure dates back to the 15th century. Social media videos verified by Reuters show rubble scattered in the mosque's courtyard, but the main building remains intact.
Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes, particularly along the Hindu Kush Mountains where the Eurasian and Indian plates meet.
An earthquake and strong aftershocks in southern Afghanistan this August killed more than 2,200 people and injured thousands.
Prior to this earthquake, Afghanistan had already experienced three deadly earthquakes since the Taliban came to power in 2021, while foreign aid has drastically decreased, exacerbating the challenges facing the Taliban government.
The United Nations and aid agencies have warned that the Afghan people are facing a worsening famine. Drought, banking restrictions, and the expulsion of millions of Afghan citizens by neighboring Iran and Pakistan have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
