7 dead, 150 injured as powerful earthquake strikes Afghanistan

KABUL: A powerful earthquake jolted Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region late Monday night, with tremors felt across several cities including Mazar-e-Sharif, causing panic among residents and significant structural damage.

According to international news agencies, at least seven people were killed and 150 injured in various incidents linked to the quake. Officials have warned that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake measured 6.3 in magnitude at a depth of 28 kilometers, with its epicenter located about 22 kilometers southwest of Khulm district in Samangan province.

Residents of Mazar-e-Sharif described scenes of fear and chaos as people rushed out of their homes in the middle of the night, fearing building collapses, AFP reported.

Tremors were also felt in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran, according to regional reports.

It is worth noting that Afghanistan has faced several devastating earthquakes in recent years. On August 31, 2025, a 6.0 magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 people, while in 2023, a series of 6.3 magnitude quakes and aftershocks claimed at least 4,000 lives.