A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, claiming at least 20 lives and injuring more than 640 people while inflicting damage on the historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e Sharif.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake's epicenter 22 kilometers west-southwest of Khulm, at a depth of 28 kilometers, with tremors felt as far as the capital Kabul.
Authorities noted the disaster affected Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, and Kunduz provinces, where rescue operations continue amid fears the death toll will rise.
Preliminary figures from the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority indicate 20 fatalities and 643 injuries, including 25 in critical condition.
Health Ministry spokesperson Sharfat Zaman stated that rescue and medical teams have reached the hardest-hit areas, with hospitals in Balkh and Samangan on standby to treat the wounded.
Military units are digging through rubble, as evidenced by footage showing efforts to extract survivors, including a young girl from the debris.
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan confirmed its presence on the ground, supporting rescue efforts and pledging necessary aid to affected communities.
India announced the handover of relief materials, with additional medicines en route, signaling efforts to bolster relations with the Taliban administration.
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari expressed condolences and solidarity, amid ongoing bilateral tensions and upcoming peace talks in Istanbul.
The earthquake partially damaged the 15th-century Blue Mosque, a revered site believed to house the tomb of the Prophet Mohammad's cousin and son-in-law, scattering broken masonry and tiles across its courtyard though the main structure endured.
Hundreds of houses collapsed, particularly in rural areas built from mud bricks and wood, exacerbating financial losses for residents.
A rockslide temporarily blocked the highway linking Kabul to Mazar-e Sharif, stranding some injured travelers before the route was cleared.
Power outages swept the country, including Kabul, disrupting daily life further.
This event marks the latest seismic blow to Afghanistan, following deadly quakes in August that killed over 2,200 and another in October 2023 claiming at least 4,000 lives.
Aid organizations like Save the Children warn of heightened vulnerability as winter approaches, with displaced families facing freezing conditions in inadequate shelters.
The nation's position on active fault lines underscores its perennial risk to such natural calamities.