Deadly 6.3 quake hits northern Afghanistan, dozens killed & injured

KABUL: A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif on Monday morning, killing at least seven people and injuring about 150, according to provincial officials.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the quake was 28 kilometers (17 miles) below the surface near Mazar-e-Sharif, which has a population of about 523,000.

Samim Joyenda, a spokesman for the health department in Samangan province, told international media that hospitals had received the injured, and the death toll was based on reports received as of Monday morning.

The USGS issued an orange alert, indicating a significant risk of loss of life and widespread impacts. Such warnings typically signal a regional or national emergency response.

Haji Zaid, a spokesman for Balkh province, said part of a holy shrine in Mazar-e-Sharif had been destroyed. Videos shared on social media show rescue workers pulling people from the rubble, although Reuters could not independently verify them.

Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes, as it sits on two major active fault lines. Past earthquakes, including those in 2015 and 2023, have caused hundreds to thousands of deaths in Afghanistan and Pakistan.