A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked northern Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least seven people and injuring around 150 near the ancient city of Mazar-e Sharif. The quake struck at 1:59 a.m. local time at a shallow depth of 28 km, with its epicenter located between Mazar-e Sharif and Khulm in Balkh province. The US Geological Survey issued an orange alert, warning of likely significant casualties and damage in the densely populated area. Health spokesperson Samim Joyanda from Samangan province confirmed the initial toll based on hospital reports, as emergency teams raced to extract survivors from collapsed buildings.

Tremors rattled across borders into Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, but no injuries were reported there. In Mazar-e Sharif, the iconic Blue Mosque—Shrine of Hazrat Ali, a 15th-century spiritual landmark—suffered partial structural collapse, confirmed by local authorities. Unverified footage on X showed frantic nighttime rescues, with people trapped under rubble and streets buried in debris. Residents fled in panic as homes shook violently, power lines failed, and dust clouds filled the air in the historic trade hub.

Rescue operations pressed on despite limited resources and rugged terrain under Taliban governance. Hospitals overflowed with the injured—many with fractures, head wounds, and breathing difficulties from inhaling dust. The shallow depth intensified the shaking, exploiting weaknesses in poorly built structures common in the region. Authorities warned of possible aftershocks, urging caution as unstable buildings threatened further collapse and hindered relief efforts.

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This disaster marks yet another tragic chapter in Afghanistan’s recent seismic history, following a devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake in August near the Pakistan border that claimed over 2,200 lives and left thousands homeless. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the country has endured at least three major quakes, each exposing critical gaps in infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and international aid access. Humanitarian organizations, including the Afghan Red Crescent Society, have called for urgent global support to prevent secondary crises such as disease outbreaks or exposure as winter approaches.

Damage assessments are still underway, with fears the death toll may rise as remote villages report in. The USGS estimates suggest hundreds could ultimately be affected by the quake’s impact. International aid remains vital for medical supplies, shelter, and rebuilding in a nation already strained by poverty and isolation. As winter looms, the people of Mazar-e Sharif face a long, uncertain road to recovery in this seismically fragile land.

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