An earthquake kills at least 20 people in northern Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake shook northern Afghanistan before dawn Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 500, a health official said, adding that the numbers could rise.

The US Geological Survey said that the epicenter of the earthquake was located 22 kilometers (14 miles) west-southwest of the town of Kholm, and that it occurred at 12:59 a.m. at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles).

Sharafat Zaman, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, said that 534 injured people and 20 bodies were transferred to hospitals in Balkh and Samangan provinces. He added that rescuers are at the scene and that the numbers are changing.

A resident inspects a damaged building after the earthquake in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. Najib Faryad/EPA/Shutterstock Residents injured in a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in northern Afghanistan wait for treatment at a hospital in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, Monday, November 3, 2025. AFP

In neighboring Badakhshan province, the earthquake partially or completely destroyed 800 homes in one village in the Shahr Bozorg district, said Ehsanullah Kamjar, spokesman for the provincial police headquarters. He added that with the lack of Internet in the remote area, there are still no accurate numbers of victims.

Yousef Hammad, spokesman for the Afghan Disaster Management Agency, said that most of the injured suffered minor injuries and were discharged from hospital after treatment.

In the Afghan capital, Kabul, the Ministry of Defense announced that rescue and emergency teams had arrived in the most affected areas of the earthquake in Balkh and Samangan, and were transporting the injured and helping others.

The Taliban government's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, posted on the X website that the earthquake caused casualties and financial losses. He said that government organizations are working to obtain the necessary assistance.

In the Afghan capital, Kabul, the Ministry of Defense announced that rescue and emergency teams had arrived in the earthquake areas of Balkh and Samangan, which suffered the greatest amount of damage. AP Afghan earthquake survivors search through the remains of a damaged house on November 3, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

Afghan officials said residents of Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, also felt the quake, as footage posted on social media showed damage to the historic Blue Mosque. Several pieces of brick fell from the walls, but the mosque remained intact. The centuries-old site is one of Afghanistan's most revered religious monuments and a major gathering place during Islamic and cultural festivals.

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The earthquake was felt by residents of Kabul and several other provinces. The Defense Ministry said a rockslide briefly closed a main mountain road linking Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif, but the road was later reopened. She added that some people who were injured and trapped along the highway were taken to hospital.

The United Nations in Afghanistan said on the X website that Monday's earthquake came just weeks after a deadly earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan. The United Nations said that its teams are on the ground to assess needs and provide urgent aid.

The US Geological Survey said the epicenter of the quake was located 14 miles west-southwest of the town of Kholm, and that it occurred at 12:59 a.m. at a depth of 17 miles. Via Reuters A rescue man works in the aftermath of an earthquake at an unspecified location in Afghanistan, on November 3, 2025. Via Reuters Men carry an injured man out of a vehicle after the earthquake in Afghanistan on November 3, 2025. Via Reuters Two men search through the rubble of damaged buildings after an earthquake in Samangan Province, Afghanistan. Reuters

“We stand with the affected communities and will provide the necessary support,” the post read.

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31 near the border with Pakistan, killing more than 2,200 people. On October 7, 2023, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake, followed by strong aftershocks, killed at least 4,000 people, according to the Taliban government.

The poor country often has difficulty responding to such natural disasters, especially in remote areas. Buildings tend to be low-rise construction, mostly concrete and brick, with houses in rural and remote areas built of mud brick and timber, many of them poorly constructed.

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