Tragic Earthquake Strikes Northern Afghanistan, Leaving at Least 20 Dead

Tue Nov 04 2025 03:39:37 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A powerful magnitude-6.3 earthquake has struck near Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and over 530 injuries. Rescue efforts are ongoing amid fears that the death toll may continue to rise.

A magnitude-6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, causing widespread destruction and significant casualties, with at least 20 confirmed dead and over 530 injured. The quake primarily affected Mazar-e-Sharif and surrounding provinces, where local authorities are racing to conduct search and rescue operations. The earthquake caused substantial damage, particularly in older buildings, and has led to power outages across the country as infrastructure suffers from ongoing aftershocks. Rescue teams are currently involved in efforts to locate and assist victims.

At least 20 people have died after an earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, local authorities say, with the toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

Hundreds have also been left injured, local officials told the BBC.

The earthquake struck near Mazar-e-Sharif, one of the country's largest cities that is home to about 500,000 people, at around 01:00 local time on Monday, (20:30 GMT on Sunday).

It had a magnitude of 6.3 and a depth of 28km (17 miles), according to the US Geological Survey, and was marked at the orange alert level, which indicates significant casualties are likely.

More than 530 people have been injured, according to the Taliban government health ministry.

Provincial officials earlier told the BBC that casualties were likely to rise as rescue efforts continued.

Haji Zaid, a Taliban spokesman in Balkh province wrote earlier on X that many people are injured in the Sholgara district, south of Mazar-e-Sharif.

The quake led to a power outage across the country including in the capital city Kabul, after electricity lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan - major suppliers of power to Afghanistan - were damaged.

Emergency responders are working tirelessly as many residents of Mazar-e Sharif rushed into the streets when the quake struck, fearing their homes would collapse.

The aftermath of this earthquake follows a previous 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Afghanistan's mountainous eastern region in late August, claiming more than 1,100 lives and highlighting the vulnerability of the region to seismic activity.

Afghanistan’s challenging infrastructure and the construction quality of buildings hinder effective rescue operations, complicating efforts in the aftermath of such disasters.