A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan, adding to a severe humanitarian crisis in a nation already struggling with international isolation and poor infrastructure under Taliban rule.
At least 10 people have died and more than 260 were injured in the quake, according to Afghan officials. Authorities warned that casualty figures are expected to rise.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the 6.3 magnitude tremor occurred early Sunday morning local time, with its epicenter near Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province. It struck at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles).
In Balkh province, Health Ministry spokesman Kamal Khan Zadran confirmed four deaths and 120 people hospitalized. Neighboring Samangan province reported five fatalities and 143 injuries, though most have since been treated and released, according to Mohammadullah Hamad, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The strong tremors sent residents of Mazar-i-Sharif, a major northern city, fleeing their homes in fear of collapsing buildings. Shaking was also felt approximately 420 kilometers (260 miles) south in the capital, Kabul.
Afghanistan’s poor communication networks and infrastructure, particularly in mountainous regions, have historically hampered disaster response. It can take authorities hours or days to reach remote villages to assess damage.
The country has faced a severe shortage of international aid since the Taliban seized power in 2021. This period has seen Afghanistan endure three other serious earthquakes.
The humanitarian situation is further complicated by ongoing drought, economic restrictions, and the displacement of millions of Afghan citizens from neighboring countries.
Earthquakes are common in Afghanistan, located along the Hindu Kush mountain range where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates converge.
Many homes in rural areas are constructed insecurely, making them highly susceptible to collapse during seismic events.