Powerful 6.3-Magnitude Earthquake Kills at Least 20 in Northern Afghanistan
- SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
- Nov 3
- 2 min read
Kabul, Nov 3 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early on Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 300, Afghan authorities said, warning that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue in remote areas.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake hit at a depth of 28 km (17.4 miles) near the city, which has a population of around 523,000. Health Ministry spokesperson Sharaf Zaman confirmed that at least 20 people were killed and about 320 injured, noting that the number of casualties could increase as rescue teams reach hard-hit districts in Balkh and neighbouring Samangan provinces.
Footage shared on social platform X showed emergency responders searching through rubble for survivors. One video depicted rescuers pulling what appeared to be bodies from collapsed structures. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.
“Our rescue and health teams have arrived in the area, and all nearby hospitals have been put on standby to treat the injured,” Zaman said.
The earthquake also damaged part of the historic Blue Mosque, the holiest site in Mazar-e Sharif and believed to house the tomb of the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammad. Balkh province spokesperson Haji Zaid said broken tiles and masonry were scattered across the mosque’s courtyard, although the main structure remained intact. The current mosque structure dates back to the 15th century.
The quake disrupted power supplies nationwide, including in the capital Kabul, according to Da Afghanistan Breshna Company, the national power provider.
The USGS issued a warning stating that “significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread.” Afghanistan sits on two active fault lines and is highly prone to earthquakes. More than 2,200 people were killed and thousands injured after a similar quake and aftershocks struck the country’s southeast in late August.
The latest disaster compounds challenges faced by the Taliban-run administration, already contending with reduced foreign aid, internal unrest, and the mass deportation of Afghan refugees from neighbouring countries.
