6.3-Magnitude Earthquake Kills 20+ Injures 320+ In Northern Afghanistan

A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan near Mazar-e Sharif early Monday morning, primarily affecting Samangan and Balkh provinces. The quake caused extensive damage, including to the Blue Mosque, a major religious site, and resulted in at least 20 deaths and over 320 injuries, though some reports vary with lower casualty figures. Rescue and medical teams were deployed promptly, with hospitals nearby placed on alert to treat the injured. The Afghan National Disaster Management Authority coordinated response efforts across multiple provinces shaken by the earthquake, which was also felt in neighboring countries such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Afghanistan, situated on major seismic fault lines, has recently suffered another deadly earthquake just two months prior, underscoring the region's vulnerability to seismic disasters. Authorities continue rescue operations and warn that the death toll and injury counts may rise as assessments proceed.