Afghanistan Earthquake: 7 Killed, 150 Injured After 6.3-Magnitude Quake Rocks Mazar-e-Sharif, Nearby Provinces | VIDEO

A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least seven people and injuring around 150 others near the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, provincial officials confirmed. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake at a depth of 28 kilometers (17.4 miles), jolting residents awake across several provinces. 

SamimJoyanda, spokesperson for the Samangan provincial health department, said the current toll was based on hospital data gathered throughout the morning. “A total of 150 injured and seven martyred have been reported and transferred to health centers as of this morning,” he told Reuters, warning that figures could climb as emergency teams reach remote villages.

Epicentre Near Major Population Hub

Preliminary reports indicated the quake struck near Mazar-e-Sharif and the nearby town of Khulm shortly after 1 a.m. local time. Mazar-e-Sharif is one of northern Afghanistan's most populated and economically important cities, with a population of about 523,000, raising concerns over possible long-term infrastructure damage. Videos circulating on social media showed collapsed walls, cracked homes, and families rushing into the streets amid aftershocks.

A powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan in the middle of the night, causing houses to collapse while residents were deeply asleep, resulting in numerous fatalities. pic.twitter.com/t4x6dNmwdQ

— Nilofar Ayoubi 🇦🇫 (@NilofarAyoubi) November 2, 2025

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USGS Issues Orange Alert

The USGS issued an orange alert through its PAGER system, signaling that significant casualties and economic loss are possible. Models estimate shaking of this magnitude could result in hundreds of deaths depending on the vulnerabilities in constructions, CNN reported. 

“Once again, several provinces of the country were shaken by a strong earthquake around 1 a.m.,” the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said in a statement to CNN. Emergency response teams have been deployed to assess the damage, while hospitals prepare for more incoming patients. 

Northern Afghanistan sits on two active geological fault lines, both capable of producing powerful quakes. Poor building standards in rural mountainous areas often increase the damage and raise the number of casualties. Structural weaknesses remain one of the continuing concerns after decades of conflict. 

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This disaster comes after a slew of deadly earthquakes in recent years. More than 1,000 people died during tremors in western Afghanistan last year, according to the Afghan Red Crescent Society. On August 31, 2025, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake near the border with Pakistan claimed over 2,200 lives, further putting into perspective just how vulnerable Afghanistan is.