ALBAWABA- A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan’s Balkh province early Monday, shattering the pre-dawn calm near the bustling city of Mazar-i-Sharif.
At least 27 people were killed and more than 1000 injured as homes collapsed and terrified residents fled into the streets.
The quake originated about 28 kilometers deep in the seismically active Hindu Kush region. The tremors toppled mud-brick houses, cracked roads, and sent tremors through centuries-old landmarks.
By Tuesday afternoon, rescue teams were still digging through rubble in devastated villages like Tangi Tashqurghan, where hundreds of homes lay in ruins. Families already burdened by conflict and poverty were left homeless once again.
Among the worst-hit sites was the famed Blue Mosque, Rawza-e-Sharif, a 15th-century Shiite shrine and pilgrimage center. Parts of its turquoise dome and tiled façade collapsed, sparking fears for the UNESCO-listed monument’s future.
Eyewitnesses described moments of terror. “The ground shook like a wave,” said Ebrahim, a pomegranate vendor who had been sleeping beside his stall when it was swallowed by debris.
The disaster deepens Afghanistan’s long-running humanitarian crisis. Just two years ago, a 6.5-magnitude quake in Paktika killed over 1,000 people. With international aid constrained by sanctions and political isolation, the Taliban’s response has been limited.
Neighboring Pakistan and India have offered condolences and assistance, while UN agencies have dispatched emergency relief teams.
