A devastating earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.3, rattled northern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday. This natural disaster resulted in the tragic loss of at least 20 lives and left over 300 individuals injured, according to an official from the health sector.
The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the quake’s epicenter to be approximately 22 kilometers (14 miles) west-southwest of Khulm. The tremor struck at 12:59 a.m., originating at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles).
Sharafat Zaman, representing the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed the fatalities and reported that 320 people sustained injuries due to the quake.
Yousaf Hammad, a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s disaster management agency, noted that many of those injured had minor wounds and were released after receiving initial medical care.
In Kabul, the Ministry of Defense revealed that rescue and emergency teams have been deployed to the hardest-hit provinces of Balkh and Samangan. These teams are actively engaged in rescue missions, providing medical help to the injured and supporting affected families.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban government’s chief spokesperson, shared on the X platform that the earthquake impacted the provinces of Balkh, Samangan, and Baghlan, leading to both casualties and economic damage.
He expressed his sorrow and grief over the losses and said relevant governmental organizations were busy trying to get needed help to the people affected by the quake.
According to the Afghan officials, the earthquake was also felt in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province.
A rescuer works following an earthquake at an unidentified location in Afghanistan, in this handout image released November 3, 2025
People who were injured in an earthquake receive treatment at a hospital in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
An Afghan injured woman receives treatment at a hospital in the aftermath of an earthquake, that struck overnight in Mazar-i-Sharif
In Mazar-e-Sharif, footage circulating on social media showed damage to the historic Blue Mosque.
Several bricks had fallen from the walls but the mosque remained intact.
The centuries-old site is one of Afghanistan’s most revered religious landmarks and a major gathering place during Islamic and cultural festivals.
The quake was felt in Kabul and several other provinces in Afghanistan.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement that a rockslide briefly blocked a main mountain highway linking Kabul with Mazar-e-Sharif, but the road was later reopened.
It said some people who were injured and trapped along the highway were transported to the hospital.
The United Nations in Afghanistan said on X that Monday’s earthquake came just weeks after a deadly earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan.
The U.N. said its teams are on the ground assessing needs and delivering urgent aid.
A man is carried out of a vehicle following the powerful, 6.3 magnitude earthquake
Rescuers work following the earthquake that has killed at least 20 people and injured 320 others
‘We stand with the affected communities and will provide the necessary support,’ the post said.
Afghanistan has been rattled by a series of earthquakes in recent years and the impoverished country often faces difficulty in responding to such natural disasters, especially in remote regions.
Buildings tend to be low-rise constructions, mostly of concrete and brick, with homes in rural and outlying areas made from mud bricks and wood, many poorly built.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan on August 31 near the border with Pakistan, killing more than 2,200 people.
On October 7, 2023, a magnitude 6.3 quake followed by strong aftershocks left at least 4,000 people dead, according to the Taliban government.
