Provincial governor’s spokesperson Haji Zaid confirmed that at least seven people have died and more than 150 others were injured. Several homes and buildings have sustained significant damage across multiple areas. The USGS warned that the death toll could climb into the hundreds, citing the risk of “significant casualties” and a “potentially widespread disaster.”
CCTV footage shared online captured the moment of the quake, showing buildings shaking violently in Mazar-e-Sharif. The tremors were also felt across neighbouring Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.
Khalid Zadran, a Taliban police spokesman in Kabul, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that police teams are closely monitoring the situation.
Historic Blue Mosque Damaged
The iconic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif — one of Afghanistan’s most revered landmarks — suffered structural damage. Videos circulating on social media show collapsed tiles and shattered masonry around the mosque’s courtyard.
The centuries-old complex is believed to house the tomb of the first Shia Imam, a sacred figure in Islamic tradition, and serves as an important pilgrimage site where devotees gather for prayers and religious celebrations.
Country’s Seismic Vulnerability
Afghanistan’s position along the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates makes it highly vulnerable to earthquakes.
Just a few months earlier, in August 2025, a 6.0-magnitude quake struck the mountainous eastern region, killing nearly 1,000 people. That disaster proved especially deadly due to the fragile mud-and-timber construction of rural homes, which collapsed easily, trapping residents inside.
Monday’s earthquake once again highlights Afghanistan’s deep seismic risks and the fragile infrastructure that leaves many communities vulnerable to repeated natural disasters.
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