Overview
- India began dispatching humanitarian assistance to communities hit by the northern Afghanistan earthquake, with more medical supplies expected soon.
- Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar phoned Afghan counterpart Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi to offer condolences and review relief needs.
- The two ministers noted recent progress in India–Afghanistan engagement following Muttaqi’s visit to New Delhi and welcomed improved people-to-people contacts.
- The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude-6.3 event with an epicenter about 35 kilometers from Khulm, affecting Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan provinces.
- Provisional tolls point to dozens of fatalities and hundreds injured, with reports ranging from more than 20 deaths and over 500 injuries to roughly 30 dead and about 400 wounded.