A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit the vicinity of Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday, resulting in at least 20 fatalities, numerous injuries, and significant damage to the renowned Blue Mosque. The quake, occurring at a depth of 28 kilometers near Mazar-e Sharif, a city with a population of approximately 523,000, caused widespread destruction.
One survivor, Mohammad Rahim, residing in the Tashqurghan district near the quake’s epicenter, described the intense shaking lasting about 15 seconds, followed by a cloud of dust obscuring visibility. He recounted the rescue of his trapped mother and brother by a combination of rescue workers and local residents.
Initial reports from the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority indicated that 20 individuals had lost their lives, with 643 sustaining injuries, including 25 in critical condition. Rescue and medical teams were swiftly mobilized to the affected region, with nearby hospitals placed on standby to provide urgent care to the wounded, as confirmed by Health Ministry spokesperson Sharfat Zaman.
Images released by the Afghan Ministry of Defence depicted military personnel engaged in search and rescue operations, uncovering the lifeless body of a young girl from the debris. The United Nations mission in Afghanistan expressed its commitment to supporting the ongoing relief efforts on the ground.
India, in a gesture of solidarity, offered assistance to the impacted communities, with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announcing the dispatch of relief supplies to aid those affected by the earthquake.
The historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e Sharif, a revered site believed to house the tomb of the Prophet Mohammad’s cousin and son-in-law, suffered structural damage during the seismic event. Although the main structure remained intact, visible destruction to the mosque’s masonry and tiles was evident in verified footage circulated on social media and authenticated by Reuters.
The earthquake represents another significant challenge for Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government, which is already contending with various crises, including a prior earthquake in August that claimed numerous lives, a reduction in foreign aid, and the mass expulsion of Afghan refugees by neighboring nations.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of the quake, power disruptions have been reported countrywide, affecting even the capital city of Kabul, according to the national power supplier Da Afghanistan Breshna Company.
Save the Children, an aid organization, highlighted the increased humanitarian strain on Afghanistan, especially as winter approaches, posing additional risks for vulnerable populations, including children lacking adequate shelter against the harsh weather conditions.
Given Afghanistan’s geographical location atop two active fault lines, the nation remains susceptible to seismic activities, with past earthquakes causing substantial casualties and infrastructural damage. The latest earthquake serves as a poignant reminder of the country’s fragility in the face of natural disasters.