At least seven people have been killed and more than 150 injured after a powerful earthquake struck Afghanistan’s northern Hindu Kush region early Monday (November 3). The quake hit near Khulm, close to the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, according to officials.The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake struck at 12:59 a.m. local time. Its depth was initially measured at 10 kilometers but later revised to 28 kilometers (17 miles). The epicenter was located near Mazar-i-Sharif, a city of around 523,000 people. Tremors were also felt in the capital Kabul and surrounding provinces.

Afghanistan’s health authorities said the injured have been taken to several local hospitals, with some reported to be in critical condition.

Samim Jawanda, spokesperson for the health department in Samangan province, confirmed the casualties. “So far, seven people have been reported dead and more than 150 injured. All the wounded have been moved to health facilities,” he said.

Haji Zayed, spokesperson for Balkh province, said that part of the historic Blue Mosque (Shrine of Hazrat Ali) in Mazar-i-Sharif collapsed due to the quake.

Videos and photos shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) showed residents digging through debris to rescue people trapped under collapsed structures.

The disaster comes just two months after another devastating earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing hundreds and causing widespread destruction.

Source: AFP