6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Afghanistan; Over 22 People Killed; 320 Injured
At least 22 people were killed and nearly 320 were injured after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit northern Afghanistan at 1 am on Monday. The major centre lies in the cities of Mazar-i-Sharif and Khulm, and the quake struck at a depth of 23 kilometres, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). A rescue mission is going on by the authorities and local people.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) warned that it could be deadly. “Significant casualties are likely, and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past events with this alert level need a regional or national level response”, USGS said.
The Taliban health ministry revised the figure upwards, confirming at least 20 deaths and 320 injuries, AFP reported. Afghanistan’s national disaster management agency earlier said assessments of casualties and damages would be shared later, reported Reuters.
وروستۍ زلزلې د مزار شریف روضیې ته هم زیان اړولي دی.#earthquake #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/IXwn5w8Lps
— Abdulhaq Omeri (@AbdulhaqOmeri) November 3, 2025
Mazar-i-Sharif is famed for a 15th-century architectural marvel Blue Mosque, known for its vibrant tiles and one of the country’s few remaining tourist spots.
Earlier, in August this year, Afghanistan was hit by a deadly 6.0-magnitude earthquake killing at least 2,200 people and injuring more than 2,800. The quake occured in the monutain stretch of provinces in the eastern region of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is very prone to the earthquakes, because of its location on top of a number of fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonics plates meet.
The earthquakes in Afghanistan cause the most fatalities, killing about 560 people on average each year and causing an annual damage of nearly $80 million.
As per the studies, indicate at least 355 earthquake with a magnitude higher than 5.0 have hit Afghanistan since 1990.
