A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked northern Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring hundreds. The shallow quake, striking near Mazar-i-Sharif, woke terrified families and caused significant damage, notably to one of the country’s most revered architectural treasures: the iconic Blue Mosque (Shrine of Hazrat Ali).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Footage confirmed the mosque’s base was littered with rubble, a distressing sight at a major site of pilgrimage believed by many to be the resting place of Hazrat Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam.
Widespread Impact and Ongoing Response
The disaster quickly escalated, severing crucial power lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, leading to widespread blackouts across at least nine provinces, including Kabul. The government reported 20 deaths, but the World Health Organization confirmed over 860 injuries, with casualty numbers expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue.
While initial UN flyovers suggested “fewer signs of widespread devastation than at first feared” compared to a deadly August quake, the destruction remains severe. One resident in Mazar-i-Sharif described the event, saying she had “never experienced such a strong earthquake in my life” as her family fled screaming.
International support is mobilizing. The United Nations has teams on the ground delivering urgent aid, and India has offered relief materials and medicine. The crisis underscores the vulnerability of the impoverished nation, whose ability to respond to natural disasters is challenged by recent political shifts and dwindling international aid.
Comments are closed.