Northern Afghanistan was jolted awake by a significant 6.3 magnitude earthquake in the early morning hours of Monday. The seismic event, centered near the populous city of Mazar-i-Sharif and the town of Khulm, has resulted in tragic loss of life, with at least seven confirmed deaths and more than a hundred people injured. The National Centre for Seismology confirmed the earthquake’s magnitude and depth of 23 kilometers.
Dramatic CCTV footage circulating online displays the intense shaking experienced by residents as the earthquake hit. Experts from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) predict severe consequences, issuing an alert that suggests the potential for substantial loss of life and extensive damage, a scenario that typically requires a large-scale disaster response.
This powerful quake comes after a preceding 3.9 magnitude tremor at a shallower depth, highlighting the region’s seismic vulnerability. Shallow earthquakes are often more destructive due to their proximity to the surface. The impact of the 6.3 magnitude quake may extend beyond Afghanistan’s borders, as it was reportedly felt in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.