6.3 magnitude earthquake kills 20, wounds hundreds in Afghanistan
Not less than 20 people were reported to have died and hundreds of others wounded after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan at around 1 a.m. local time on Monday (2030GMT Sunday).
Afghanistan has been rocked by at least eight major earthquakes, including the latest one, since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Earlier this year in August, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook the eastern Kunar province, killing more than 2,200 people, and flattening hundreds of houses and buildings.
According to the US Geological Survey, the current quake occurred at a depth of 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) near Mazar-e-Sharif, one of the country’s largest cities.
Spokesman for the Health Ministry, Dr. Sharafat Zaman said that 20 people were confirmed dead, with most casualties coming from northern Samangan and Balkh provinces, according to reports.
The Afghan Red Crescent Society stated that the earthquake caused “severe human casualties and heavy financial losses”.
While search and rescue operations are ongoing to look for survivors, the provincial capital of Balkh, Mazar-e-Sharif, also reported casualties as well as damage to property. Some damage have also been reported in the northwestern Baghlan province, and other provinces, according to officials.
Authorities have ordered all hospitals to be fully prepared to provide health services to the victims of the earthquake.
The strong tremor has also affected electricity supply lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, cutting off services to several regions.
The national power utility Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) stated that the lines spanning Naibabad to Samangan and from Khulm to Pul-e-Khumri, have been cut off. Several provinces are currently deprived of imported power supplied through this route.
The Defense Ministry said it was clearing roads that were blocked due to landslides triggered by the earthquake.
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