Less than two months after the last major quake, Afghanistan has been struck again by a powerful 6.3 magnitude Earthquake in the northern region, leaving at least 20 people dead and over 300 injured – Aljazeera report.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was near Mazar-i-Sharif, about 28 kilometers below the surface. Rescue operations remain underway, local authorities confirmed early Sunday.
The quake hit shortly after midnight local time, causing panic across Mazar-i-Sharif — a city of nearly half a million residents. Many people fled their homes and gathered in the streets as tremors shook buildings. Several houses collapsed, including parts of the city’s historic Blue Mosque.
Witnesses reported that many casualties occurred when residents jumped from tall buildings or rushed down stairways in panic. In Sholgara district of Balkh province, dozens were also injured, officials said, warning that the death toll could rise as search efforts continue.
Security forces have joined rescue workers to assist in recovery operations.
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In August, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan killed more than 2,000 people. Last year, hundreds died in powerful quakes in Herat and Nangarhar provinces, which also destroyed thousands of homes.
