6.3 Magnitude Earthquake in Northern Afghanistan Claims 20 Lives and Injures Hundreds

A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and over 320 injuries. The tremor rattled the provinces of Samangan and Balkh early on Monday morning, causing power outages in Kabul and several northern regions.

Details of Casualties and Damages

The Taliban’s Ministry of Public Health has reported preliminary figures indicating at least 20 deaths and nearly 320 injuries as a result of the earthquake. Sharaft Zaman, a spokesperson for the ministry, announced in a video message that all hospitals have been instructed to remain in a state of full readiness to treat the injured.

Local reports indicate that the quake was felt most strongly in the provinces of Samangan, Balkh, and Baghlan.

Power Outage and Infrastructure Damage

The power company, Breshna, which operates under the Taliban government, has confirmed that the earthquake disrupted electrical lines importing power from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Consequently, power has been cut in Kabul and surrounding provinces connected to these lines. Breshna officials have stated that efforts to restore power are currently underway.

Varying Reports from Samangan

Samim Joyenda, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s Public Health Directorate in Samangan, reported that at least 20 people have died and 200 others have been injured in the province. Additionally, Qari Lutfullah Habibi, head of the Taliban’s Public Health in Samangan, noted that one person died and over a hundred were injured in the provincial capital, Aybak. In the Khulm district, six deaths and more than seventy injuries have been reported, while in the Hazrat Sultan district, one death and fifteen injuries have been documented.

Magnitude and Scope of the Earthquake

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed a magnitude of 6.3 with a depth of 28 kilometers. The epicenter was located near Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province. Tremors were also felt in Kabul, Takhar, Kunduz, Faryab, and Sar-e Pol.

Reopening of Kabul–Mazar-i-Sharif Highway

The Bakhtar News Agency reported that the Kabul–Mazar-i-Sharif highway, which had been blocked due to a landslide in the Tangi Tashqurgan area, has been reopened thanks to the efforts of Taliban defense forces.

A History of Deadly Earthquakes

Just over two months ago, on August 31, a devastating earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing over 2,200 people and injuring nearly four thousand according to official Taliban figures. Experts warn that the vulnerability of Afghanistan’s infrastructure continues to pose a significant risk for heavy casualties in similar future quakes.