Major Earthquake Devastates Northern Afghanistan
A powerful magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday morning, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 300 others. The quake, which occurred at approximately 1:00 AM local time, had its epicenter located just east of Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital of Balkh province, at a depth of 29 kilometers according to the US Geological Survey.
Historic Blue Mosque Damaged
The earthquake caused significant damage to the historic Blue Mosque (Hazrat Ali Shrine) in Mazar-i-Sharif, one of Afghanistan's most important Islamic pilgrimage sites. The 15th-century Timurid-style complex, known for its distinctive blue tile work and white pigeons in the courtyard, sustained damage to its minarets and structural elements. 'The shaking was terrifying - we heard parts of the mosque cracking and falling,' said a local resident who witnessed the damage.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Taliban authorities have confirmed at least 20 fatalities and 320 injuries, but expect the death toll to rise as rescue teams continue searching through rubble. The provinces of Balkh and Samangan appear to be the worst affected areas. Emergency services and rescue teams are working throughout the affected regions to locate survivors and provide assistance to affected families.
'Our teams are working around the clock to reach all affected areas, but the damage is extensive and many roads are blocked,' said a spokesperson for the Taliban's Ministry of Defense.
Regional Impact and Previous Earthquakes
The earthquake was felt across northern Afghanistan and in neighboring countries including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. This marks the third major earthquake to hit Afghanistan in recent years, following a magnitude 6.0 quake in August 2025 that killed approximately 2,200 people and a devastating 2023 earthquake that claimed over 2,000 lives.
Afghanistan's location on the collision zone between the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates makes it particularly vulnerable to seismic activity. The country sits on multiple active fault lines, including the major Chaman Fault system that forms the boundary between these two massive tectonic plates.
Humanitarian Challenges
The earthquake compounds Afghanistan's existing humanitarian crisis, with international aid to the country having plummeted from $3.8 billion in 2022 to just $767 million in 2025 following the Taliban takeover. Rescue and relief operations face significant challenges due to damaged infrastructure, remote locations, and limited resources.
'We woke up screaming - the whole house was shaking violently,' recounted a mother from Mazar-i-Sharif to CNN. 'I'm grateful our concrete house held up, but I worry about the mud-brick homes on the outskirts of the city.'
The United Nations and other international organizations are assessing the damage and coordinating emergency response efforts, though the Taliban government's limited international recognition complicates large-scale international assistance.