A powerful 6.3 magnitude Afghanistan Earthquake struck northern Afghanistan before dawn on Monday. This major natural disaster has officially killed at least 20 people and injured over 640 others, with officials warning the death toll is likely to increase as rescue efforts continue. The tremor caused widespread destruction, notably damaging the historic Blue Mosque in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif.
The earthquake’s center was near the town of Khulm, hitting at a depth of 28 kilometers. It affected four provinces: Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, and Kunduz. In the province of Badakhshan alone, around 800 houses in one village were destroyed or partially ruined. Local residents in affected areas used shovels to dig through the debris of their collapsed mud-brick homes, struggling to find survivors and salvage belongings. The air was thick with dust and dirt from the ruins.
The centuries-old Blue Mosque, a major religious site, saw bricks fall from its walls, though its main structure is still standing. Beyond the physical destruction, the Afghanistan earthquake also caused power outages, including in the capital, Kabul, after electricity lines from neighboring countries were damaged. For a country already struggling with resources, this disaster adds a significant challenge.
The weak construction of many rural homes, often made from mud bricks makes the region highly vulnerable to tremors. Rescue and emergency teams were deployed immediately to the worst-hit areas like Balkh and Samangan to help transport the wounded.
This Afghanistan Earthquake is the latest in a series of deadly quakes; one in August killed more than 2,200 people. Afghanistan is prone to these disasters because it sits on active fault lines where tectonic plates meet. International support has been quick to arrive. The United Nations is on the ground, assessing the urgent needs of the affected communities and delivering aid. The government has also confirmed that its organizations are working to provide the necessary help following the devastating impact of this earthquake.
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