Magnitude-6.3 Earthquake Kills at Least 20 in Afghanistan

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ago 8 hours

Magnitude-6.3 Earthquake Kills at Least 20 in Afghanistan

At least 20 people have died due to a significant earthquake that shook northern Afghanistan on Monday. Local authorities report that hundreds more have sustained injuries, with the casualty count likely to increase as rescue efforts are underway.

Magnitude-6.3 Earthquake Strikes Near Mazar-e-Sharif

The earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, struck close to the city of Mazar-e-Sharif around 01:00 local time, or 20:30 GMT on Sunday. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake originated at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles), categorizing it at an orange alert level, which suggests significant casualties could occur.

Casualties and Injuries Reported

Confirmed fatalities: At least 20
Reported injuries: Over 530

The Taliban government’s health ministry has acknowledged these figures, emphasizing that the numbers may escalate as the search and rescue operations progress. Haji Zaid, a Taliban spokesperson in Balkh province, shared on X that “many people are injured,” particularly in the Sholgara district, which lies south of Mazar-e-Sharif.

Impact on Infrastructure

Widespread panic ensued among residents of Mazar-e-Sharif as they fled their homes fearing possible collapses. The earthquake also resulted in a power outage across Afghanistan, including in the capital, Kabul. Damaged electricity lines from neighboring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan exacerbated the situation.

In the aftermath, evidence of destruction emerged with reports of damages at significant landmarks. A video shared by Haji Zaid depicted debris scattered at the revered Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, a site of pilgrimage for Shia Muslims.

Previous Earthquake Experience

This latest earthquake adds to Afghanistan’s history of devastating seismic activity. A previous quake with a magnitude of 6.0 struck the eastern region in late August, causing over 1,100 fatalities. The rural architecture made of mud and timber in these areas rendered many homes vulnerable, trapping residents as structures collapsed.

Challenges in Rescue Efforts

Afghanistan’s geographical location places it atop numerous fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. Such positioning makes the country highly susceptible to earthquakes. Additionally, factors like inadequate communication infrastructure and lack of earthquake-resistant buildings hinder effective emergency response during such disasters.