A powerful magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early on Monday, November 3, 2025, causing significant destruction across several provinces and killing at least seven people, according to initial reports from Afghan authorities.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake hit at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles) near Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh Province, part of the seismically active Hindu Kush region. Tremors were felt hundreds of kilometers away, including in Kabul, about 420 km to the southeast.
Rescue officials said at least 150 people were injured, with fears that the death toll could rise as emergency teams reach remote and mountainous districts such as Samangan and Balkh, where many homes are built with mud and lack earthquake-resistant features.
“Dozens of houses have collapsed, and people are digging through the debris to find survivors,” a provincial official told Reuters.
The Afghan National Disaster Management Authority warned that ongoing aftershocks could cause further damage and urged residents to stay outdoors where possible. Relief agencies have been mobilized, though access challenges persist due to rugged terrain and limited infrastructure.
This latest disaster comes just months after an August 2025 quake in eastern Afghanistan killed more than 2,200 people, underscoring the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Afghanistan sits at the convergence of the Indian, Eurasian, and Arabian tectonic plates, making it one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions.
Humanitarian agencies are now assessing immediate needs, including shelter, medical aid, and food supplies, in affected areas.
Sources: Reuters | Al Jazeera | AP News | Reuters – Why Afghanistan is so prone to earthquakes
