A 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit northern Afghanistan killing at least 20 and injuring over 640.

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan on November 3, 2025, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 640, with casualties expected to rise. The quake, centered 22 km west-southwest of Khulm in Balkh province at a depth of 28 km, caused widespread damage across Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, Kunduz, and Badakhshan provinces. Mud-brick homes collapsed, and the historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif sustained damage, though it remained standing. A rockslide briefly blocked a key highway between Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif but was later cleared. Rescue efforts are underway, with aid being delivered by Afghan authorities and international partners, though limited infrastructure and communications hinder assessments in remote areas.