A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals and left approximately 300 others injured in Afghanistan.
The seismic event occurred at 12:59am local time, striking about 14 miles west-southwest of Khulm. The US Geological Survey has issued a warning indicating the likelihood of significant casualties and widespread devastation, as the quake originated at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles).
As per Sharafat Zaman, a representative of the Ministry of Public Health, the death toll stands at 20 with 320 individuals sustaining injuries. Most of the injured individuals suffered minor wounds and were discharged from medical facilities after receiving treatment.
Rescue operations are currently underway in the affected regions, particularly in Balkh and Samangan provinces, which have reportedly suffered considerable damages. Emergency response teams are actively assisting in relocating the injured while affected households are receiving necessary assistance.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesperson for the Taliban government, confirmed that the earthquake affected areas in Balkh, Samangan, and Baghlan. The government has dispatched teams to provide aid to those in need.
The renowned Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif has also been impacted by the disaster, with footage showing some bricks fallen from its walls while the structure remains intact.
Following a rockslide, a mountain highway connecting Kabul to Mazar-e-Sharif was briefly blocked, but it has since been reopened by Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry. Individuals injured or stranded on the highway have been safely transported to medical facilities.
This calamity comes shortly after a recent deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, prompting urgent assistance from UN teams on-site. The UN has expressed solidarity with the affected communities and pledged to offer necessary support.
