6.3-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Afghanistan; 10 Killed, 260 Injured

6.3-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Afghanistan; 10 Killed, 260 Injured

At least 10 people have lost their lives, while 260 others were injured after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif, officials confirmed.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at a depth of 28 kilometres near Mazar-e-Sharif.

The earthquake affected parts of Balkh and Samangan provinces, resulting in fatalities and injuries, the Afghanistan Defence Ministry said.

Earlier in the morning, Samim Joyanda, spokesperson for the Health Department in Samangan, stated that seven people had died and 150 others were injured, who were transferred to nearby health centres, Reuters reported.

Rescue and emergency assistance teams have reached the affected areas, and operations are underway to help the impacted families, according to the ministry.

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Health Ministry spokesperson Sharfat Zaman said that casualties are expected to rise as rescue operations continue.

The USGS had earlier issued an orange alert in its PAGER system, which assesses the potential impact of earthquakes and indicates that significant casualties and widespread damage are likely.

Notable quake, preliminary info: M 6.3 – 35 km SW of Khulm, Afghanistan https://t.co/D8Y2YKa3OB

— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) November 2, 2025

Footage circulating on social media shows the extent of destruction, though it has not yet been verified.

Earlier, at the end of August, more than 2,200 people were killed and thousands injured following a powerful earthquake and subsequent aftershocks in the southeastern region of the country.