An earthquake of magnitude 6,3 It shook northern Afghanistan in the early hours of the morning, leaving a provisional toll of At least 20 people dead and more than 300 injuredAccording to authorities, the earthquake has caused material damage and triggered a large-scale emergency response in several provinces across the country.
According to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was recorded at 00: 59 local time, with hypocenter at 28 kilometers deep and epicenter located 22 kilometers west-southwest of Kholm, in an area near Mazar-e-Sharif.
Epicenter, time and extent of the earthquake
The earthquake was strongly felt in Mazar-e-Sharif and in the provinces of Balkh and Samanganwhere the greatest damage was concentrated, and it was also felt in Baghlan and the capital, KabulAccording to local reports, the tremors woke thousands of families and sent people into the streets for fear of aftershocks.
The USGS indicated that the tremor was felt beyond the border, with reports in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and TurkmenistanDue to the intermediate depth of the hypocenter, the tremor had a notable radius of impact despite not being a shallow event.
Provisional tally of victims and damages
The Ministry of Public Health reported that at least 20 deaths and raised the number of injured to 320Disaster management spokespeople indicated that Many injuries are minor and some of those affected have been discharged after initial care.
In Mazar-e-Sharif, the historic Blue Mosque It suffered occasional brickwork detachments and minor damage to areas of the cladding, although The main structure remains standing, according to images and testimonies disseminated by local authorities and social networks.
Response from the authorities and the UN
The Ministry of Defense deployed rescue and assistance teams in the worst-affected areas of Balkh and Samangan. Part of the road connecting Kabul to Mazar-e-Sharif was briefly cut off. rockfalls and landslides —including the Tashqurghan Pass—, but the route was reopened after the clearing work.
The chief government spokesman indicated that national agencies are working to bring emergency aid to the affected families. ONU He confirmed that he has teams on the ground to assess needs and distribute priority assistance in the areas hit by the earthquake.
Seismic risk, aftershocks and context
In the following hours, the following was recorded aftershocks of up to magnitude 5,2This keeps the population on alert. The USGS automated system issued a Orange alert due to possible significant impacts, which is common in events of this magnitude and area of ​​exposure.
The vulnerability of many homes and buildings in the country —frequent Adobe and brick constructions with irregular standards—, coupled with the dispersion of communities in remote areasThis complicates both the damage assessment and the health and logistical response.
Afghanistan has accumulated recent destructive events: at the end of August an earthquake magnitude 6,0 in the east he left more than 2.200 deaths, and in 2023 Another earthquake of magnitude 6,3 in the west It caused thousands of deaths, according to official records. The Hindu Kush region, at the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, is an area of ​​high seismic activity.
This morning's 6,3 magnitude earthquake has authorities and humanitarian services mobilized as they continue the count and deliver aid. figures still provisional They could be updated as teams reach remote villages and the situation stabilizes after the aftershocks.
