Powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake kills at least 10 in Northern Afghanistan, hundreds injured

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near Mazar-e-Sharif early Monday morning, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 260, according to Afghan authorities.

The quake struck at dawn, shaking buildings and sending residents rushing into the streets. The tremor caused widespread destruction across Balkh and Samangan provinces, with fears that the death toll will rise as rescue operations continue.

Samim Joyanda, spokesperson for the Samangan Health Department, said that at least seven people were killed and 150 injured had been transferred to local hospitals as of Monday morning.

“The number of casualties may increase as more reports arrive from affected districts,” Joyanda said.

The Afghan Taliban’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that Balkh and Samangan were among the hardest-hit regions.

“Military rescue and emergency assistance teams reached the area immediately and began operations to rescue people, transport the injured, and assist affected families,” the ministry said in a statement.

Health Ministry spokesperson Sharfat Zaman said that medical and rescue teams have been deployed, with hospitals in surrounding areas placed on high alert.

“Health teams have arrived in the area, and all nearby hospitals have been put on standby,” Zaman said.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) issued an orange alert via its PAGER system, indicating a high probability of significant casualties and widespread damage.

According to the USGS, past quakes of similar intensity in Afghanistan have required a national-level emergency response.

Afghanistan lies on two major tectonic fault lines, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in Asia.

In August 2025, a powerful earthquake and subsequent aftershocks in the country’s southeast killed more than 2,200 people and injured thousands.

The earthquake also destroyed part of the holy shrine of Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh province spokesperson Haji Zaid said, referring to the Blue Mosque.

In Mazar-i-Sharif, a city of about 523,000 people, many residents ran into the street in the middle of the night, fearing their homes might collapse, an AFP correspondent observed.

“The earthquake destroyed part of the holy shrine,” said Haji Zaid, spokesperson for Balkh province.