6.3 quake near Mazar-i-Sharif kills 20; toll may rise
“A 6.3 quake near Mazar-i-Sharif killed at least 20 people and injured hundreds, with authorities bracing for a higher toll.”
Key points
- A 6.3 quake near Mazar-i-Sharif killed at least 20 people and injured hundreds, with authorities bracing for a higher toll.
- Damage to the Blue Mosque and power lines compounded the emergency response.
A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan overnight near Mazar-i-Sharif, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 530 injured, according to the health ministry. Officials warned the toll could climb as rescue teams reach remote areas.
The quake hit around 1:00 am local time on Monday (20:30 GMT Sunday) at a depth of about 28 km, prompting widespread panic. Damage was reported to multiple structures, including parts of the historic Blue Mosque. Casualties were concentrated in Balkh and Mamangan provinces, authorities said.
Taliban spokesperson Haji Zaid said many injuries occurred as residents fled from buildings. Power supplies to Kabul and several other provinces were disrupted after lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were affected.
The defence ministry said military rescue and emergency crews were deployed to locate survivors and transport the injured. Afghanistan's vulnerability to seismic events stems from its position at the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which makes the region one of the most earthquake-prone in the world.
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