KABUL, Afghanistan — A powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 530, according to health officials.
The 6.3-magnitude quake hit near Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh Province around 1 a.m. local time. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the tremor originated at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles), shaking several northern provinces.
Hospitals were quickly overwhelmed as emergency crews transported the injured, many of whom suffered fractures, head trauma, and crush injuries. Officials warned that the casualty figures could rise as rescue operations continue.
Dozens of homes collapsed in rural districts, where mud-brick construction is common and particularly vulnerable to seismic activity. Search teams are working to reach remote villages cut off by damaged roads.
The Afghan Ministry of Public Health said medical teams from neighbouring provinces have been dispatched to assist with the response. Temporary shelters are being established for displaced residents.
In a statement issued Monday, the Afghan government expressed condolences to the victims and pledged full mobilization of emergency resources. Authorities said military units had been deployed to assist with search and rescue efforts and to secure affected areas.
President Mohammad Hassan Akhund called for international humanitarian support, citing the country’s limited capacity to respond to large-scale disasters. He urged aid organizations to prioritize medical supplies, food, and temporary housing.
The quake comes just weeks after a similar disaster in western Afghanistan killed more than 1,000 people, underscoring the country’s exposure to seismic hazards and the strain on its emergency infrastructure.
Afghanistan lies along a major fault line where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in Asia.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert for aftershocks, which could further endanger unstable structures and complicate ongoing rescue efforts.
