6.3-magnitude earthquake rocks Afghanistan; 20 killed
What's the story
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck northern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring around 300 others. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake occurred at a depth of 28km. The epicenter was near Mazar-i-Sharif, which has a population of about 523,000. Tremors were also felt across Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
Casualty forecast
USGS predicts significant casualties, widespread damage
The USGS has predicted "significant casualties" and "potentially widespread" disaster due to the quake. "Several provinces of the country were once again shaken by a strong earthquake at around 1 am (3:30 p.m. ET Sunday)," the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority told CNN. It has issued an orange alert on its system of quake impacts. Previous events at that alert level necessitated a regional or national response, according to the USGS alert system.
Twitter Post
Visuals showing damage sustained to Rawzeh Sharif
یادي زلزلې د روضیې شریفي ښکلا ته هم ستر زیان رسولي.
— Haji zaid (@Hajisahib1234) November 2, 2025
👇 pic.twitter.com/U6Rj5n4PZF
Official statement
Iconic mosque destroyed
Mazar-i-Sharif's famed Blue Mosque was also damaged in the earthquake. The site is a popular pilgrimage destination, with some believing it to be the final burial place of Hazrat Ali, Islam's fourth Caliph and Prophet Mohammad's son-in-law. The United Nations in Afghanistan stated on X that it is on the ground assessing needs and delivering aid.
Quakes
Region prone to quakes
Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes since it is located on two major active fault lines. In September, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the country's eastern provinces, killing more than 1,400 people and injuring at least 3,250 more. In 2015, an earthquake rocked northeastern Afghanistan, killing hundreds of people in both Afghanistan and northern Pakistan.