Afghanistan: A powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan on Sunday, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. According to local and international reports, at least 20 people have been confirmed dead and more than 320 others injured, while rescue efforts are still underway.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake measured 6.3 in magnitude, with its epicenter near Khulm in Balkh province at a depth of around 28 kilometers. Tremors were felt across several provinces, including Samangan, Kunduz, Takhar, and Mazar-E-Sharif.
Local authorities said dozens of homes were destroyed and many buildings sustained cracks and structural damage. Reports also indicated partial damage to the historic Blue Mosque (Shrine of Hazrat Ali) in Mazar-E-Sharif.
Rescue agencies are conducting emergency operations in the affected regions, but officials warned that rugged terrain and remote locations are hindering relief efforts. The Ministry of Natural Disaster Management stated that casualty figures could rise further as information from remote villages is still coming in.
According to international aid organizations, hundreds of families have been displaced, with women and children among the majority of victims.
The Red Crescent Society and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have announced immediate relief operations to provide medical assistance, temporary shelters, food and clean water to the victims.
Aftershocks continue to shake the region, forcing residents to spend the night outdoors in fear of further collapses.
Geologists noted that Afghanistan lies in the seismically active Hindu Kush region, where frequent tectonic activity causes dozens of moderate to strong earthquakes every year.
