🚨 Breaking News: Massive 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Northern Afghanistan, Casualties Feared

KABUL/MAZAR-I-SHARIF – A powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, causing widespread panic and leading to an immediate humanitarian response. The tremor, measured at Magnitude (M) 6.3, has once again highlighted Afghanistan's vulnerability to seismic activity.

Key Details of the Quake

DetailInformationMagnitude M 6.3

Date & Time Monday, November 3, 2025 (Early Morning Local Time)

Epicenter Location Near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh Province, Northern Afghanistan.

Depth Reported at approximately 28 kilometers (17.4 miles).

Initial Impact Significant casualties and structural damage are reported, with numbers expected to rise due to poor infrastructure and communication challenges in the mountainous region.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the intensity of the quake, which was felt as far away as the capital, Kabul. Residents in Mazar-i-Sharif, one of the country's largest cities, rushed out of their homes as buildings shook violently.

A Region Prone to Disasters

Afghanistan lies on a major collision zone between the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, specifically along the Hindu Kush mountain range. This geological feature makes the country highly susceptible to frequent and often devastating earthquakes.

This latest disaster comes months after another powerful quake struck eastern Afghanistan, resulting in thousands of casualties and widespread displacement. The repeated natural disasters exacerbate an already severe humanitarian crisis in the isolated nation.

Local authorities and aid agencies have been deployed to the affected provinces, including Balkh and Samangan, though rescue efforts are severely hampered by the remote terrain and challenging communication networks.