Overview
- The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude-6.3 earthquake near Khulm in Balkh province at about 1 a.m. local time, with a depth of roughly 28 kilometers.
- Afghanistan’s Health Ministry spokesperson said more than 20 people were confirmed dead and about 380 were injured, with officials cautioning that the toll could rise.
- The tremor was felt in Kabul and across northern provinces as well as in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, according to USGS reports.
- USGS recorded multiple aftershocks in the hours after the main shock, the strongest near magnitude 5.2, complicating rescue and assessment work.
- Authorities deployed medical and rescue teams, hospitals were placed on alert, social images showed structural damage including at the Blue Mosque complex, and a USGS PAGER orange alert flagged the potential for significant casualties while international assistance is monitored.