A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif early Monday, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 260. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as rescue work continued.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 28 kilometers near Mazar-e-Sharif, a city of over half a million people. Samim Joyanda, spokesperson for the Samangan health department, said 150 people were injured and seven were confirmed dead as of Monday morning.
The Afghan Taliban’s defence ministry said Balkh and Samangan provinces suffered the most damage. Military rescue teams quickly reached the affected areas to pull survivors from debris and help families who lost homes.
Health ministry spokesperson Sharfat Zaman said all nearby hospitals were on standby and rescue operations were ongoing. He warned that the number of casualties could increase.
The USGS issued an orange alert, suggesting significant casualties and widespread damage. Part of the historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif was destroyed, officials confirmed.
Afghanistan lies on two active fault lines, making it highly prone to earthquakes. In August, another quake killed more than 2,200 people in the country’s southeast.
