A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 struck northern Afghanistan on the morning of November 3, 2025, near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, killing approximately 20 people and injuring hundreds. The damage was concentrated in remote mountainous villages where most homes are made of mud, making them highly vulnerable to partial or complete collapse during the tremor.
The Afghan Ministry of Health reported that over 640 people were injured, including critical cases, while local and international rescue teams are struggling to reach the hardest-hit areas due to rugged terrain and the lack of necessary infrastructure in some villages.
In addition to human losses, cultural heritage sites were affected, with parts of the Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif damaged, raising concerns about the preservation of historical landmarks amid natural disasters.
This disaster comes at a time when Afghanistan is already facing complex humanitarian crises, including shortages of food, water, and shelter, especially as winter approaches, increasing the vulnerability of residents. The international community is currently providing urgent aid, including food, shelter, and medical services for those affected, but access to remote villages remains a major challenge.
The recent earthquake highlights the fragility of Afghanistan’s infrastructure in the face of natural disasters and underscores the urgent need to enhance disaster preparedness and improve the state’s rapid response capabilities to prevent human suffering from worsening.
