Powerful Earthquake in Afghanistan Shakes Tajikistan and Central Asia

A powerful earthquake in northern Afghanistan sent strong tremors rippling across Tajikistan and several Central Asian countries on November 3 early morning, startling residents and shaking buildings.

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake left at least eight people dead and around 180 injured. Rescue teams are still working in the affected areas, and officials warn the death toll may rise as operations continue, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

The quake struck near Mazar-e-Sharif, a city of more than 500,000 residents, at around 1:00 a.m. (GMT+4:30). The tremor’s depth was 28 kilometers, and an orange alert was issued, signaling the likelihood of significant casualties and damage.

Witnesses described terrified residents rushing into the streets as buildings swayed. Videos posted by the Taliban showed debris scattered outside the historic Blue Mosque, one of the country’s most revered sites.

In Balkh province, Taliban spokesman Haji Zaid said “many people are injured” in Sholgara district, while reports from other areas indicated structural damage and minor injuries. Hospitals in neighboring provinces are treating dozens of victims, many hurt after falling from buildings during the tremors.

Authorities in Kabul said security forces are closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, tremors were felt across Central Asia, including in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan.

The quake follows a deadly 6.0-magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan in August, which killed more than 1,000 people. Experts warn that Afghanistan remains one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world due to the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.