A devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan on November 2, 2025, near Mazar-i-Sharif, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and over 640 injuries, with numbers likely to rise as rescue efforts progressed.
The quake caused significant destruction, including the collapse of homes and damage to the historic Blue Mosque, a vital cultural landmark in the region.
Just two months after another deadly earthquake claimed over 2,200 lives in the east, this latest disaster underscores Afghanistan's vulnerability to seismic activity and the pressing needs for disaster preparedness.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes of chaos as families urgently tried to rescue loved ones trapped amid the rubble, highlighting the immediate human tragedy unfolding in affected communities.
Rescue operations faced daunting challenges, hampered by difficult terrain and a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by reduced foreign aid and a struggling economy.
International condolences poured in from several countries, reflecting global sympathy for the victims and the urgent need for comprehensive support in the wake of this calamity.