Deadly Earthquake Strikes Northern Afghanistan, Damages Historic Blue Mosque

A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake recently struck northern Afghanistan, resulting in over a dozen fatalities, hundreds of injuries, and significant damage to the country’s revered Blue Mosque. The quake, occurring in the early hours of Monday, had a shallow depth of 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) and was centered near Mazar-i-Sharif, a densely populated city.

Search and rescue efforts are currently underway, with reports of a child being pulled alive from rubble. The iconic Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, a significant architectural treasure and pilgrimage site, sustained damage, with debris scattered around its base. This mosque is believed by some to be the resting place of Hazrat Ali, a key figure in Islam.

The Afghanistan earthquake also caused widespread power outages, severing electricity lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which are major power suppliers to the country. This plunged several provinces, including Kunduz, into total blackout, though teams are working to restore service. Government officials reported at least 20 deaths and over 600 injuries across multiple provinces, and authorities anticipate the casualty count could rise as operations continue.

The United Nations has deployed teams to assess needs and provide urgent aid, while India has also offered support, including relief materials and medical supplies. Afghanistan, an impoverished nation, has faced numerous earthquakes in recent years, leading to thousands of deaths. The country’s capacity to respond to such natural disasters has been hindered by a reduction in international aid following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.

Residents in affected areas reported significant property damage, including broken windows and structural issues in homes. The quake also temporarily blocked the Tashqurghan passage, a crucial transport route, but it has since been cleared. This latest seismic event follows other devastating earthquakes in Afghanistan, including a 6.0-magnitude quake in August and another 6.3-magnitude tremor in October 2023, both causing extensive loss of life and destruction.

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/02/asia/northern-afghanistan-earthquake-latam-intl