In brief
An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck near Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, at 20:30 GMT. The US Geological Survey reports potential for significant casualties. Taliban authorities noted minor injuries and superficial damages, with many locals fleeing buildings. This quake follows a deadly tremor in August, raising concerns about the country's geological vulnerability.
An earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan near Mazar-e Sharif, one of the country's largest cities, at approximately 20:30 GMT (01:00 local time).
The quake registered a magnitude of 6.3 and originated at a depth of 28 km (17 miles), according to the US Geological Survey. The agency warned of significant casualties and a potentially widespread disaster.
A Taliban spokesman in Balkh, where Mazar-e Sharif serves as the capital, reported around 02:00 local time (21:30 GMT) that they had received reports of minor injuries and superficial damages throughout the province.
He further indicated that many injuries resulted from people falling from tall buildings as residents hurried into the streets to escape potential collapses.
Mazar-e Sharif, having a population exceeding 500,000, witnessed chaos as its inhabitants evacuated their homes during the quake, as reported by AFP.
The Taliban spokesman also shared a video that appeared to show debris scattered around the renowned Blue Mosque, a significant cultural landmark of the city.
The mosque is believed to house the tomb of the first Shia Imam, attracting pilgrims who visit for prayers and religious festivities.
This earthquake follows a severe 6.0 magnitude quake that hit Afghanistan's mountainous eastern region in late August, claiming over 1,000 lives. Afghanistan's susceptibility to earthquakes is heightened due to its location atop numerous fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge.
