Powerful 6.3 quake kills at least 20 in Afghanistan, hundreds injured
KABUL -- A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early on Monday, killing at least 20 people, injuring hundreds and damaging the city's historic Blue Mosque, authorities said, with the death toll likely to rise.
A rescuer works following an earthquake at an unidentified location in Afghanistan, in this handout image released November 3, 2025. Photo: Reuters
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of 28 km (17.4 miles) near Mazar-e Sharif, which has a population of about 523,000.
At least 20 people were killed and around 320 were injured, Health Ministry spokesperson Sharfat Zaman said, but officials warned the toll could rise as rescue teams reached remote villages in the worst-hit provinces of Balkh and Samangan.
A man is carried out of a vehicle following an earthquake at an unidentified location in Afghanistan, in this handout image released November 3, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Videos shared on social media platform X showed emergency responders searching the rubble for survivors.
One video showed rescuers pulling what appeared to be dead bodies from collapsed buildings. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage of rescue efforts.
Blue mosque
"Our rescue and health teams have arrived in the area, and all nearby hospitals have been put on standby by the leadership to treat the injured," Zaman said.
The earthquake damaged part of the Blue Mosque, the holiest shrine in Mazar-e Sharif, Balkh province spokesperson Haji Zaid said.
The mosque is considered one of the holiest sites in Afghanistan and is believed to be the burial site of the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammad. The current structure was built in the 15th century.
Medical staff treat an injured person following an earthquake at an unidentified location in Afghanistan, in this handout image released November 3, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Footage shared on social media and verified by Reuters showed broken masonry and tiles lying in the courtyard of the mosque, though the main structure remained standing.
The disaster is the latest challenge for conflict-torn Afghanistan's Taliban administration, already grappling with crises including an August quake that killed thousands, a sharp drop in foreign aid and mass deportations of Afghan refugees by neighboring countries.
The quake disrupted power across the country including to the capital Kabul, national power supplier Da Afghanistan Breshna Company said in a statement.
The USGS said "significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread".
Debris lies on the ground at the shrine known as the Blue Mosque following an earthquake in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, in this still image obtained from social media video released November 3, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Active faults
Afghanistan is particularly vulnerable to quakes as it lies on two active faults that have the potential to rupture and cause extensive damage.
A man walks past debris lying on the ground at the shrine known as the Blue Mosque following an earthquake in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, in this still image obtained from social media video released November 3, 2025. Photo: Reuters
More than 2,200 people were killed and thousands more injured after a quake and strong aftershocks in the southeast of the conflict-shattered Islamic country at the end of August.
Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response, the system's alert added.
Reuters
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