KABUL – A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck northern Afghanistan late last night, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 500 others, authorities confirmed.
The quake, which hit shortly after midnight, caused widespread destruction across Balkh and Samangan provinces. According to the Taliban’s Ministry of Public Health, 534 people have been injured, while authorities fear the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue in remote areas.
Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, a spokesperson for the ministry, said in a video statement that medical and rescue teams had been dispatched to the affected regions.
“The wounded are being treated in nearby hospitals, and emergency assistance has been mobilised,” he said.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake’s epicentre was shallow, intensifying the damage.
Residents in Balkh and Samangan described being jolted awake as their homes shook violently, with some buildings collapsing entirely.
The tremor also disrupted key infrastructure across the north. Electricity imports from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have been cut, while the Tashqurghan Pass—a major route linking key northern districts—has been closed due to landslides and debris.
As search and rescue operations continue, authorities and aid organisations are bracing for the possibility that the number of casualties could rise in the coming hours.
International messages of condolence and support have begun to arrive. The European Union, along with the governments of Iran and Japan, expressed solidarity with Afghanistan. The United Nations said it was assessing the scale of the disaster and preparing to support humanitarian efforts.
Northern Afghanistan, prone to seismic activity, has experienced a series of deadly earthquakes in recent years. Experts warn that the region’s weak infrastructure and limited emergency response capacity make it particularly vulnerable to such disasters.
