Post by : Rameen Ariff

A devastating earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck northern Afghanistan on Monday morning, leaving widespread destruction in the city of Mazar-e Sharif. According to local authorities, at least 20 people have been killed and over 320 injured as emergency teams rush to rescue those trapped under rubble.

The quake hit at a depth of 28 kilometers, with tremors strong enough to rattle buildings across the Balkh and Samangan provinces—two of the hardest-hit regions. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the epicenter near Mazar-e Sharif, a city of over half a million residents, and issued an orange alert indicating a high likelihood of significant casualties and damage.

Historic Blue Mosque Suffers Damage

One of Afghanistan’s most treasured landmarks, the Blue Mosque of Mazar-e Sharif, has sustained visible damage from the tremors. The 15th-century architectural gem, known for its stunning turquoise tiles and intricate minarets, lost portions of its structure as parts of a minaret collapsed onto the mosque’s courtyard.

The site, also known as the Mausoleum of Imam Ali, stands as both a religious and cultural symbol of Afghanistan. Images from the scene show broken tile fragments scattered across the mosque grounds, underscoring the intensity of the earthquake.

Scenes of Panic and Ongoing Rescue Efforts

Videos circulating online show residents fleeing their homes as walls and ceilings shook violently. CCTV footage from residential areas in Mazar-e Sharif captured the exact moment of impact, with household items tumbling as people ran for safety.

Rescue operations are currently underway, with emergency teams searching for survivors trapped under debris. Officials have warned that the death toll is likely to rise as more bodies are recovered from collapsed structures. Hospitals in the region are overwhelmed with casualties, while local volunteers and aid organizations have joined efforts to assist the injured.

A Nation Reeling from Repeated Disasters

This latest tragedy comes just months after an earlier 6.0 magnitude earthquake in August, which claimed over 2,200 lives across Afghanistan. The country, situated on a network of fault lines between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, remains highly prone to seismic activity.

Experts note that many of Afghanistan’s quakes are shallow in depth, meaning their destructive energy is released close to the surface, resulting in severe ground shaking and damage to structures that often lack earthquake-resistant construction.

Humanitarian Response and the Road Ahead

Authorities have urged international organizations to extend assistance as they continue rescue and relief operations. With hundreds injured and infrastructure damage reported across multiple districts, concerns are growing over the immediate humanitarian needs, including shelter, medical care, and food supplies.

As Afghanistan faces yet another natural disaster, communities across the nation are once again forced to grapple with loss, destruction, and uncertainty.

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