At Least 20 Dead and Over 300 Injured After 6.3-Magnitude Earthquake with Casualty Figures ‘Likely to Rise’

At least 20 people have died and more than 320 others have been injured following a powerful earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan early Monday.

According to reports from the BBC, Sky News, and the Associated Press, the 6.3-magnitude quake hit the city of Mazar-e Sharif around 1:00 a.m. local time on Nov. 3. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) issued an orange alert for the region, warning that “significant” casualties were expected. The quake was recorded at a depth of 17 miles.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed in a Facebook post that the tremor affected the provinces of Samangan and Balkh. “Initial reports indicate that over 15 people have died and around 320 have been injured, though rescue efforts are ongoing and numbers are subject to change,” the statement read.

Dr. Sharafat Zaman Amar, a spokesperson for the ministry, added that hospitals in the area have been told “to be ready to receive more patients,” noting that the casualty count was likely to rise.

In a later update, the Ministry of Public Health announced that the death toll had reached at least 20. Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, expressed sorrow over the losses in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “With profound regret, we have learned that due to the earthquake last night in the provinces of Samangan, Balkh, Baghlan, Kunduz, and several other provinces, a number of Afghans have been martyred and wounded, a large number of homes have been destroyed, and financial damages have been incurred.”

“The Islamic Emirate extends its condolences to the affected families, prays for the highest paradise for the martyrs and swift recovery for the wounded, and offers its sympathies to the affected families and their loved ones,” Fitrat continued. “Furthermore, the Islamic Emirate directs all relevant officials and departments to deliver medical aid, food supplies, and other forms of assistance to the affected areas, to make efforts to rescue those trapped under the rubble, and to take necessary actions regarding assistance to families, provision of tents, and other essential needs.”

Monday’s quake follows a 6.0-magnitude earthquake in August that killed more than 1,100 people, according to the BBC.

“Just weeks after a deadly earthquake in eastern #Afghanistan, the #North has now been struck by another strong #earthquake,” the United Nations Afghanistan wrote on X. “Our teams and partners are on the ground to assess needs and deliver urgent aid. We stand with the affected communities and will provide necessary support.”