KABUL: A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif on Monday morning, killing at least seven people and injuring around 150, local officials confirmed.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was located 28 kilometers underground near Mazar-i-Sharif, a city home to more than half a million residents. The tremor caused widespread panic, with many residents rushing out of their homes as aftershocks followed.
Samim Jowenda, spokesperson for the health department in Samangan province, said hospitals had received dozens of injured people. He added that the reported casualties were based on data collected from various districts by Monday morning.
The USGS issued an orange alert, signaling a high risk of fatalities and significant damage. Such alerts typically trigger emergency response operations at both regional and national levels.
In Balkh province, spokesperson Haji Zaid confirmed that part of a historic shrine in Mazar-i-Sharif collapsed due to the tremor. Videos circulating on social media showed rescue teams pulling survivors from the debris, though these clips could not be independently verified.
Authorities are continuing rescue operations and assessing the full extent of the destruction. Local volunteers and aid groups have joined efforts to provide medical assistance and shelter to the affected families.
Afghanistan remains one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the region, lying on several active fault lines. Previous quakes in 2015 and 2023 caused severe devastation, killing hundreds across Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan.
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Experts have warned that poor infrastructure and limited emergency resources make the country particularly vulnerable to future disasters, underscoring the urgent need for improved preparedness and disaster management systems.
