Powerful 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Northern Afghanistan, Killing Dozens and Damaging Historic Blue Mosque

A powerful 6.3 magnitude Afghanistan earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early on Monday, November 3, 2025, causing widespread devastation, killing at least 20 people, and injuring over 320. The seismic event, with its epicenter near the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, also inflicted damage upon the city’s historic Blue Mosque and sent tremors across neighboring countries, including Pakistan and India. This Afghanistan earthquake is a tragic reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability.

Afghanistan Earthquake Details and Epicenter

The Afghanistan earthquake registered a magnitude of 6.3 and occurred at a depth of approximately 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) below the surface. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) identified the epicenter as being near Khulm, Afghanistan, with Mazar-e-Sharif, a populous city with over 523,000 residents, being significantly affected. The tremors struck at approximately 12:59 AM local time, jolting residents from their sleep. The USGS issued an “orange alert,” indicating that significant earthquake casualties were likely and the disaster potentially widespread, a classification that typically necessitates a regional or national-level response.

Devastation and Earthquake Casualties

The human toll from the Afghanistan earthquake has been severe, with initial reports confirming at least 20 fatalities and over 320 individuals injured. Health Ministry spokesperson Sharfat Zaman stated that rescue and health teams were dispatched and hospitals were placed on standby to treat the injured, though officials warned the death toll could rise as rescue efforts extended to more remote villages. The hardest-hit provinces appear to be Balkh and Samangan following this northern Afghanistan disaster.

Structural damage is extensive, with numerous buildings collapsing and causing people to be trapped under rubble. Videos circulating on social media depicted emergency responders working tirelessly to search for survivors amidst the debris. Beyond residential buildings, the Afghanistan earthquake also caused damage to cultural heritage sites. The historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, a revered 15th-century shrine known for its intricate tilework, sustained damage, with reports indicating broken masonry and tiles in its courtyard. While the main structure of the mosque remained standing, the Blue Mosque damage serves as a stark reminder of the quake’s power and the vulnerability of cultural landmarks.

Wider Reach and Context of Afghanistan Earthquake

The powerful tremors from the Afghanistan earthquake were felt across a wide area, reaching as far as Kabul, the Afghan capital, and extending into neighboring Pakistan and India. This widespread impact underscores the seismic nature of the region.

Afghanistan is inherently vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location along two major active tectonic fault lines, the Eurasian and Indian plates. This geological reality has subjected the nation to numerous devastating seismic events in recent years. The current northern Afghanistan disaster follows closely on the heels of other significant quakes, including a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in August 2025 that killed over 2,200 people, and another in October 2023 that resulted in thousands of casualties. These recurring disasters compound the existing humanitarian and infrastructural crises faced by the country, which is also grappling with poverty, drought, and challenges related to international aid and economic restrictions under the Taliban administration.

Response and Ongoing Challenges After the Afghanistan Earthquake

In the immediate aftermath of the Afghanistan earthquake, Afghan authorities mobilized rescue and emergency aid teams, with hospitals in the affected regions placed on high alert. The United Nations and various aid agencies are on the ground assessing needs and preparing to deliver assistance, highlighting the critical requirement for sustained international support. The response efforts are further complicated by seismic event Afghanistan infrastructure damage, including a landslide that briefly blocked a key highway linking Kabul to Mazar-e-Sharif, hampering transportation and access to affected areas.

The Afghanistan earthquake news serves as a critical update on the ongoing humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan. As rescue operations continue and damage assessments are finalized, the focus will shift towards relief, rehabilitation, and long-term disaster preparedness. The incident reaffirms the urgent need for robust infrastructure, effective early-warning systems, and coordinated international aid to mitigate the impact of future seismic events on this vulnerable nation, making the Afghanistan earthquake a significant concern.