A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 320 others, according to local authorities.

The tremor, which hit near the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in Balkh Province at around 1:00 a.m. local time (20:30 GMT Sunday), caused widespread panic as residents fled their homes into the streets.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred at a depth of about 28 kilometers and issued an “orange alert,” indicating a likelihood of significant casualties and damage. The epicenter was located near the city of Khulm, about 35 kilometers southwest of Mazar-e-Sharif, a major urban center with a population of around half a million.

Officials said the death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue across affected districts. “More than 20 people have been confirmed dead, and over 320 have been injured,” Sharafat Zaman Amar, a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Health Ministry, told local media.

Haji Zaid, spokesperson for the Balkh provincial administration, said the worst damage was reported in the Sholgara district south of Mazar-e-Sharif. “Many people are injured. Most of the injuries were caused by people falling from buildings as they tried to escape,” he wrote on social media. He added that minor structural damage had been reported in several districts of the province.

In neighboring Samangan Province, authorities confirmed several fatalities and dozens of injuries in remote mountainous areas. Local officials said poor communication and damaged roads were hindering rescue efforts.

Hospitals in Balkh and Samangan have been placed on high alert, and emergency response teams have been deployed by the Ministry of Defense and disaster management agencies of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Early images from local media showed collapsed homes, damaged shops, and cracks in major roads across the affected areas.

The quake was felt as far away as Kabul, Islamabad, and Mashhad in northeastern Iran, according to reports from residents.

Monday’s disaster follows a series of deadly earthquakes that have struck Afghanistan in recent years. In August 2025, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake in the eastern provinces killed more than 2,000 people. Afghanistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes stems from its location at the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which makes it one of the most seismically active regions in Asia.

Experts warn that many of Afghanistan’s rural homes, made of mud and timber, are particularly prone to collapse during quakes, increasing the risk of casualties.

Rescue and relief operations were continuing late Monday, with authorities urging residents to remain outside their homes amid fears of aftershocks. International humanitarian organizations have also expressed readiness to provide assistance as the full scale of the disaster becomes clear. (ILKHA)