Afghanistan was struck by a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake in the early hours of Monday (November 3), sending residents into panic as tremors shook the northern part of the country. The quake, which struck near Mazar-e-Sharif, caused significant damage and loss of life.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was located 22 kilometers west-southwest of Khulm, at a depth of 28 kilometers. The worst-affected areas include Balkh province and neighboring Samangan province, where several homes and buildings were damaged.
Initial reports indicated around five deaths, but updated figures from AFP confirmed that at least 20 people have died and over 150 others were injured. Rescue teams have been deployed to the affected regions as authorities continue to assess the full extent of the destruction.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) issued an orange alert through its PAGER system, indicating that the quake could result in significant casualties and widespread damage.
This latest earthquake comes only months after a 6.0-magnitude quake in eastern Afghanistan killed more than 2,200 people and left thousands homeless. The repeated seismic activity underscores Afghanistan’s extreme vulnerability to earthquakes, particularly in its mountainous and remote areas where infrastructure is fragile and emergency response remains limited.
