Northern Afghanistan Shaken by Deadly Earthquake: Dozens Killed, Hundreds Injured
Before dawn broke over northern Afghanistan, the calm of morning was shattered by a violent tremor that ripped through the earth. In the ancient town of Khulm, homes crumbled, roads split, and the iconic Blue Mosque trembled under the weight of the quake’s fury. Within minutes, panic spread through the streets as frightened families fled collapsing walls and falling debris.
Authorities say a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck early Monday, killing at least 20 people and leaving more than 640 injured across several provinces. Officials warn that the toll may rise as rescue crews dig through rubble and reach remote villages still cut off by landslides.
Local resident Ahmad Zia described scenes of devastation. “Everything was shaking — the ground, the sky, the houses,” he said. “We pulled two bodies from the ruins this morning. It feels like the whole town is mourning.”
Historic Mosque Damaged but Standing
Footage from nearby Mazar-e-Sharif shows parts of the Blue Mosque’s outer walls chipped and scattered with fallen bricks. Despite the damage, the centuries-old shrine — a cultural and spiritual heart of northern Afghanistan — remains structurally sound, according to officials.
Quake Strikes a Vulnerable Region
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake’s epicenter was located 22 kilometers west-southwest of Khulm, at a depth of 28 kilometers. Shaking was felt across the provinces of Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, and Kunduz, toppling mud-brick homes and disrupting communications.
Afghanistan’s rural construction, often reliant on clay and wood, leaves communities dangerously exposed to seismic events. A similar earthquake in August 2025 killed more than 2,200 people, while a 6.3-magnitude quake in October 2023 claimed over 4,000 lives.
Hospitals in Balkh and Samangan are now treating most of the injured, with at least 25 patients in critical condition. In parts of Badakhshan, local officials estimate that around 800 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
Rescue and Aid Efforts Underway
Emergency teams have been dispatched to the hardest-hit zones, using heavy machinery and hand tools to search for survivors. A rockslide temporarily blocked the main highway between Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif, though crews have since cleared the route to allow ambulances and aid convoys through.
International support is beginning to arrive. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed condolences and pledged assistance, while UN relief agencies confirmed that supplies of food, tents, and medical aid are already being distributed in affected areas.
A Nation Tested Again
For a country already scarred by years of conflict and natural disasters, the quake is another painful reminder of Afghanistan’s fragility. The destruction of homes, the injuries, and the loss of life come as winter approaches — a season that will make recovery even harder.
As rescuers continue their search and families bury their dead, the people of northern Afghanistan once again face the long, difficult road to rebuilding. And though the Blue Mosque still stands, its cracks echo the same truth felt across the region: resilience endures, but it comes at a heavy cost.