Death Toll Rises to 20 in Northern Afghanistan Earthquake
A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, leaving at least 20 people dead and around 260 injured, officials confirmed. The epicenter of the quake was located about 22 kilometers west-southwest of Khulm town and struck at 12:59 a.m. local time at a depth of 28 kilometers. Rescue and relief teams from the Ministry of Defense have reached the affected areas in Balkh and Samangan provinces to evacuate the injured and assist affected families.
Key Takeaways:
- The death toll from the earthquake has risen to at least 20, with around 260 others injured, according to officials.
- The epicenter of the quake was located about 22 kilometers west-southwest of Khulm town and struck at 12:59 a.m. local time at a depth of 28 kilometers.
- Rescue and relief teams from the Ministry of Defense have reached the affected areas in Balkh and Samangan provinces.
- The quake triggered a temporary rockslide that blocked the main highway between Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif, later cleared by authorities.
- The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has sent teams to assess needs and deliver emergency assistance.
- Afghanistan, prone to frequent seismic activity, struggles to respond effectively to natural disasters due to its poor infrastructure and vulnerable housing.
- A 6.0 magnitude quake struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31, killing over 2,200 people, while a similar quake in October 2023 left at least 4,000 dead, according to the Taliban government.
Statistics:
- Death toll: at least 20
- Injured: around 260
- Depth of the quake: 28 kilometers
- Time of the quake: 12:59 a.m. local time
- Magnitude of the quake: 6.3
- Number of people killed in the August 31, 2023 quake: over 2,200
- Number of people killed in the October 2023 quake: at least 4,000
Sources:
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health
- The New Nation
- United Nations mission in Afghanistan
- Taliban government (officials)