Strong quake strikes Afghanistan, claims 9 lives

MAZAR-i-SHARIF, Afghanistan: A powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, killing at least nine people on Monday, just months after another deadly quake devastated the country.

A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan overnight, sending people rushing out of their homes in fear. The US Geological Survey reported that the quake hit at a depth of 28 kilometers, with its epicenter near Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province.

Local officials confirmed casualties and widespread injuries. In Balkh, four people lost their lives, and around 120 others were brought to the provincial hospital for treatment. Nearby Samangan province also suffered heavy damage, where officials reported five deaths and 143 injured. According to authorities, most of the wounded have now been discharged after receiving medical care.

The quake caused panic in Mazar-i-Sharif, one of the largest cities in the north, where residents ran into the streets to avoid collapsing buildings. Tremors were also felt in Kabul, more than 400 kilometers away. However, due to poor road infrastructure and communication networks, it could take time to fully assess the damage in remote villages.

Afghanistan has faced a series of devastating natural disasters in recent years, especially since the Taliban took power in 2021. Foreign aid has sharply declined, making disaster response more difficult. Earlier in August, another 6.0-magnitude quake killed over 2,200 people in eastern Afghanistan, while previous quakes in Herat and Nangarhar also caused widespread destruction.

The country already faces a severe humanitarian crisis fueled by drought, restricted banking conditions, and the return of millions of displaced Afghan families from Iran and Pakistan. Many rural homes are poorly built, increasing the risk of casualties during quakes. With mountainous terrain and difficult access routes, rescue efforts often face delays, leaving vulnerable communities waiting for help in dangerous conditions.