A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan on November 2, 2025 , killing at least 20 people and injuring several hundred others. The epicenter was located approximately 22 km west-southwest of the city of Khulm, at a depth of 28 km, in the Hindu Kush region.

The hardest-hit provinces are Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, Kunduz, and Badakhshan . In some areas, nearly 800 houses have collapsed, and essential infrastructure has been damaged. Among the affected buildings is the famous Blue Mosque of Mazar-e-Sharif , a historical landmark of the region.

Relief operations have been launched by the Afghan authorities, in coordination with the United Nations and several humanitarian organizations. However, access to the affected areas remains difficult: roads have been blocked by landslides and the geographical conditions are complicating the delivery of aid.

The victims include men, women, and children, and the exact number of deaths and injuries could rise as rescue teams reach the most isolated areas. Local authorities have called for caution and solidarity to support the affected residents.

This earthquake highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure in northern Afghanistan and the need to strengthen local capacities to cope with natural disasters. Humanitarian organizations recommend a rapid mobilization to provide food, shelter, and medical care to affected populations, while simultaneously assessing the extent of the damage to plan reconstruction.