Earthquake in Afghanistan

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan near Mazar-e-Sharif on 3 November 2025, killing at least 30 people and injuring over 945.

The earthquake caused widespread damage across Balkh and Samangan provinces, destroying homes and blocking roads with landslides. More than 90 houses were damaged, including over 50 in Khulm District, Samangan. Hundreds of people were left displaced, with families enduring extended stays in temporary settlements. In addition to limited access to safe drinking water, the UN agency warned of widespread open defecation and poor access to health services, particularly for women.

The Shrine of Hazrat Ali, also known as the Blue Mosque, was reduced to rubble, devastating a revered site for Shia Muslims. A mountain collapse in the Tangi Tashqurghan valley temporarily blocked the Balkh–Kabul highway due to falling rocks, though the road was later cleared and reopened.

Emergency teams were rapidly deployed to provide medical care and assess damage. Residents dug through rubble in search of survivors, while national disaster agencies coordinated ongoing relief efforts.