A substantial earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.3, has shaken northern Afghanistan, with its epicenter located near the major city of Mazar-e-Sharif. The tremor occurred around 20:30 GMT (01:00 local time) and had a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The agency has issued a warning, expressing concerns about “significant casualties” and the potential for a “widespread disaster.”
Initial reports from local authorities in Balkh province, where Mazar-e-Sharif is the capital, indicate “minor injuries and superficial damages” in various districts. The Taliban spokesman for Balkh mentioned that most injuries resulted from individuals falling from buildings during the quake. While no major issues have been reported so far, the full extent of the impact is still being assessed. Mazar-e-Sharif is a densely populated city, home to over 500,000 residents. Many citizens reportedly rushed into the streets during the earthquake, fearing for the safety of their homes.
This event follows a devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan’s eastern region in late August, which tragically claimed over 1,000 lives. Afghanistan’s vulnerability to seismic activity is due to its location on several fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge.