At least 20 people died and scores injured as a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early on Monday, the US Geological Survey said, just months after another deadly tremor left the country reeling as it contends with a series of humanitarian crises. The latest quake hit in the early hours of the morning at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles) with the epicentre near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, according to the USGS. “So far, 12 people have been reported dead and 143 injured in Samangan, most of whom were discharged and sent home after receiving medical treatment,” the the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said. “There have also been reports of property damage in the affected areas.” The earthquake caused visible damage to the Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, one of Afghanistan’s architectural treasures and a major point of pilgrimage. Social media footage geolocated by CNN shows debris scattered on the ground outside the mosque. Poor communication networks and infrastructure have in the past hampered disaster response in the mountainous country, preventing authorities from reaching far-flung villages to assess the extent of damage for hours or even days.
20 dead as powerful earthquake jolts Afghanistan
Published on: November 4, 2025 1:40 AM