Overview
- The USGS located the epicenter near Kholm close to Mazar-e-Sharif, with reported depths differing between 28 km in AFP reporting and 10 km in earlier updates.
- Afghanistan’s Health Ministry reported at least 20 fatalities and 534 injuries across Balkh and Samangan, cautioning that figures remain subject to revision.
- An AFP correspondent observed damage at Mazar-e-Sharif’s 15th‑century Blue Mosque, including stones fallen from a minaret.
- The Defense Ministry said it reopened the main Mazar-e-Sharif–Kholm route after rockfalls, while utility Dabs reported ongoing outages from damaged lines supplying power from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
- Taliban officials reported extensive home damage and ordered distribution of medical assistance and food to affected residents.