A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit near Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan early on Monday, resulting in a tragic loss of at least 20 lives and leaving hundreds injured. The historic Blue Mosque in the city also suffered damage due to the quake, with authorities anticipating a rise in the death toll. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake struck at a depth of 28 kilometers near Mazar-e Sharif, a city with a population of approximately 523,000 residents.
Survivors, like Mohammad Rahim from the Tashqurghan district near the quake’s epicenter, described the terrifying 15-second ordeal of violent shaking, followed by a cloud of dust obscuring visibility. Rescue efforts successfully freed Rahim’s trapped mother and brother from the rubble with the help of local volunteers and rescue workers.
Preliminary figures from the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority revealed that 20 people lost their lives, while 643 individuals sustained injuries, including 25 serious cases. Health Ministry spokesperson Sharfat Zaman confirmed that rescue and medical teams were deployed to the area, and nearby hospitals were on standby to provide necessary treatment.
Footage released by the Afghan Ministry of Defence showcased military rescue teams diligently searching through debris, retrieving the body of a young girl. Meanwhile, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan extended its support to the affected communities by actively participating in rescue operations on the ground.
India, in an effort to assist earthquake-impacted communities, pledged support by delivering relief materials with promises of additional medical supplies in the near future. The earthquake’s impact extended to the Blue Mosque, a significant cultural and religious site in Mazar-e Sharif, damaging part of the structure that dates back to the 15th century.
The disaster poses a new challenge for Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration, already facing multiple crises, including a recent earthquake in August that claimed thousands of lives, a reduction in foreign aid, and the mass expulsion of Afghan refugees by neighboring countries. The quake disrupted power supply across the country, affecting even the capital city of Kabul.
Save the Children, an aid organization, highlighted the additional strain on Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation caused by the earthquake, especially as winter approaches, bringing harsh weather conditions that could further endanger vulnerable populations. The country’s susceptibility to earthquakes due to its location on active fault lines has resulted in past catastrophic events, including the devastating August quake that claimed over 2,200 lives.
The latest earthquake underscores the urgent need for coordinated regional and national responses to address the immediate humanitarian challenges and support affected communities in Afghanistan.
