In the early hours of 3 November 2025, a major Afghanistan earthquake struck the northern Hindu Kush region, leaving a trail of destruction and exacerbating the country’s vulnerability to seismic disasters. The tremor registered a magnitude of 6.3, with its epicentre located near the town of Khulm in Balkh Province — close to the city of Mazar‑e‑Sharif — and occurred at a depth of approximately 28 km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
What happened
Residents in the affected region reported that the Afghanistan earthquake struck just before 1 a.m., jolting families from their sleep and sending many rushing into the streets as buildings shook violently. One witness described, “the earth shook violently for around 15 seconds… and the air was so full of dust we couldn’t see anything.” The tremor was strongly felt in Mazar-e-Sharif and even in the country’s capital, Kabul.
Impact and casualties
Early official figures report at least 20 people have died and over 640 were injured across several northern provinces including Balkh, Samangan Province, Sar-e-Pol Province and Kunduz Province due to the Afghanistan earthquake. In remote villages, the toll may rise as rescue teams reach isolated areas. The famed 15th-century Blue Mosque (Hazrat-e-Ali Shrine) in Mazar-e-Sharif sustained visible damage to parts of its facade and courtyard after the Afghanistan earthquake. Hundreds of mud-brick homes collapsed or were severely damaged, particularly in mountainous terrain where rescue access is difficult.
Why this region is vulnerable
The region of the Hindu Kush is highly seismically active, lying at the junction where the Indian plate collides with the Eurasian plate. This tectonic setting has produced numerous Afghanistan earthquakes throughout the country’s history. Many rural homes in northern Afghanistan are built using mud-bricks and lack earthquake-resistant design, making them particularly susceptible to collapse even in moderate quakes.
Response and humanitarian concerns
The region of the Hindu Kush is highly seismically active, lying at the junction where the Indian plate collides with the Eurasian plate. This tectonic setting has produced numerous Afghanistan earthquakes throughout the country’s history. Many rural homes in northern Afghanistan are built using mud-bricks and lack earthquake-resistant design, making them particularly susceptible to collapse even in moderate Afghanistan earthquake events.
What comes next
In the coming days, officials expect the death toll and damage assessments to increase as remote districts are reached and aftershocks occur. Efforts will focus on search & rescue, medical care for the injured, shelter provision for displaced families and rebuilding damaged infrastructure. The quake once again highlights the urgent need for earthquake-resilient construction and disaster preparedness in Afghanistan.
Source: The Guardian
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