A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 occurred in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif early Monday morning, killing at least seven people and injuring many others in a quake that was experienced by several provinces, destroying homes, damaging buildings, and putting some fleeing into the streets from sheer fright.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicentre was located nearly 40 kilometres west of Mazar-e-Sharif, at a fairly shallow depth of 10 kilometres, making the impact more severe. Local authorities have assessed the extent of the damage to involve dozens of completely destroyed homes in rural villages, and even aftershocks shook the region for hours.
Rescue Response
Emergency rescue operations are still in progress, with emergency responders or volunteers digging through rubble in search of survivors. According to provincial officials, many of the injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals, while rescue operations are attempting to rescue victims in the hardest-hit rural areas.
“We are racing against time to save lives,” said a spokesperson for the Balkh Provincial Disaster Management Authority, adding that the system of fragile infrastructure made rescue and recovery operations hard.
Recurring Tremors Compound Turmoil
This earthquake is yet another calamity for Afghanistan, which has been affected by multiple tremors in recent months. Just in October alone, several earthquakes in Herat Province led to the deaths of hundreds of people, displacing thousands of residents. Experts have highlighted that the mountainous nature of the country, along with poorly built structures, makes Afghanistan highly susceptible to earthquakes.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it is monitoring the situation closely and is prepared to support humanitarian efforts. Emergency shelters, food parcels, and medical supplies are being mobilised for impacted families.
International Expressions of Sympathy
World leaders and humanitarian organisations have expressed their sympathies following the tragedy. Social activist Anurag Dhanda offered condolences, tweeting, “I’m deeply saddened by the earthquake in Afghanistan. Prayers for the victims and their families. At a time like this, humanity must come together.”
A Population in Grief
As night falls, families in Mazar-e-Sharif are mourning their losses and anticipating aftershocks. For many, the tragedy is a stark reminder of how tenuous life can be in one of the most earthquake-prone places on the planet.
