Powerful Earthquake in Afghanistan Leaves Dozens Dead and Hundreds Wounded
A challenging start to the day for residents of Afghanistan: a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck the northern part of the country unexpectedly, claiming the lives of at least ten people and injuring over 260 others.
The event occurred around 3 a.m.
on November 3 near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, one of the region’s largest and most populated centers.
According to local sources and official reports, the consequences of the quake primarily affected the provinces of Samangan and Balkh.
Initial reports counted seven fatalities and about 150 injuries, but later figures increased, with the death toll rising to 10 and more than 260 people injured.
Data from the US Geological Survey indicate that the earthquake happened at a depth of 28 kilometers near a city with a population of over half a million residents.
Afghan authorities warn that the number of victims and injured could increase due to infrastructure damage and residents still being in perilous areas.
The Balkh and Samangan regions suffered the most, with many homes damaged or destroyed.
The tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved earthquake resilience and rapid response measures to aid affected populations during such emergencies.