Earthquake today: At least 20 killed, 320 injured as 6.3-magnitude quake strikes Afghanistan

Earthquake today: A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck near one of Afghanistan's largest cities, Mazar-i-Sharif, in the wee hours of Monday, killing at least 20 and injuring around 320 people.

The quake was detected near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif and the town of Khulm, and struck at a depth of 23 kilometres, as per the National Center for Seismology (NCS).

Given the timing of the earthquake, which struck at 1 am local time, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) warned that it could be deadly.

"Significant casualties are likely, and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response," the USGS was quoted as saying by CNN.

"A total of 150 people injured and seven martyred have been reported and transferred to health centres as of this morning," Samim Joyanda, the spokesperson for the health department in Samangan, a province near Mazar-e Sharif, told Reuters.

Later, the Taliban health ministry revised the figure upwards, confirming at least 20 deaths and 320 injuries, AFP reported.

The casualty figures reported are initial estimates and based on hospital reports. Afghanistan's national disaster management agency earlier said assessments of casualties and damages would be shared later, reported Reuters.

Videos circulating on social media showed rescuers trying to save people trapped under rubble, while images of fallen debris in buildings were also shared. One video showed rescuers pulling what appeared to be dead bodies from rubble.

However, the videos could not be verified independently.

Mazar-i-Sharif's famed Blue Mosque, a 15th-century landmark known for its vibrant tiles and one of the country's few remaining tourist spots, was also damaged, with pieces from one of its minarets breaking off and lying across the mosque's grounds, AFP reported.

Deadly quakes in recent past

Afghanistan is no stranger to deadly earthquakes, having seen major ones in the recent past.

In August this year, at least 2,200 people were killed and more than 2,800 others were injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck the mountainous stretch of provinces in the eastern region of Afghanistan.

An earthquake on 31 August struck Afghanistan's Kunar province at 11.47 pm local time.

Two years back, in October 2023, Afghanistan also saw widespread devastation after four large earthquakes measuring 6.3 in magnitude and their aftershocks struck near the city of Herat.

Over 1,000 people lost their lives in the 2023 quake, and over 2,400 were reportedly injured.