A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit northern Afghanistan early on November 3, 2025, causing at least 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries, with fears the toll could rise as rescue efforts continue in remote areas. The quake, centered near the city of Khulm in Balkh province, has damaged historic sites and disrupted power across the country, adding to Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian challenges.
Key Points
- It seems likely that the earthquake has caused moderate but widespread damage, primarily in rural northern provinces like Balkh and Samangan, where mud-brick homes are vulnerable to seismic activity. Reports indicate building collapses and a partial landslide, but urban centers like Mazar-i-Sharif experienced mostly panic and minor structural issues.
- Research suggests casualty figures may increase, with current estimates at 20 deaths and 320–643 injuries, reflecting the challenges of accessing affected areas amid winter conditions and limited infrastructure. Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, are at higher risk in such events.
- The evidence leans toward international aid being crucial, as local authorities respond but face resource shortages; organizations like the UN and India have pledged support, highlighting global solidarity while respecting Afghanistan’s complex political landscape.
- Controversy around seismic preparedness persists, as Afghanistan sits on active fault lines, and previous quakes have exposed gaps in disaster response—yet community resilience and rapid mobilization offer hope amid the tragedy.
What Happened
The earthquake occurred at approximately 00:59 local time (20:29 UTC on November 2), with its epicenter located about 35 km southwest of Khulm in Balkh province. Tremors were felt as far as Kabul, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and even parts of Pakistan and Iran, but the strongest shaking was in northern Afghanistan. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake registered a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong), affecting around 110,000 people directly.
Impacts and Casualties
Initial reports confirm at least 20 fatalities, mostly from collapsing structures in rural districts like Sholgara and Khulm. Injuries range from minor cuts to serious conditions, with hospitals in Mazar-i-Sharif treating over 300 patients. A notable landmark, the 15th-century Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, sustained damage to one of its minarets, though the main structure held. Power outages affected the entire country, including the capital, due to damaged transmission lines from neighboring countries.
Response and Aid
Taliban authorities quickly deployed rescue teams from the Ministry of Defence, with health facilities on high alert. The Afghan Red Crescent and UN mission are providing on-ground support, while India has begun delivering relief materials and medicines.
Early on the morning of November 3, 2025, northern Afghanistan was jolted awake by a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake, the latest in a series of seismic events that have plagued this rugged, mountainous nation. Centered in the Hindu Kush region near the border of Balkh and Samangan provinces, the quake struck at a time when most residents were asleep, amplifying the chaos and fear. As dust settled and dawn broke, stories emerged of families scrambling from crumbling homes, historic sites bearing new scars, and communities rallying amid uncertainty. This event not only highlights Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters but also underscores the broader humanitarian context, where ongoing conflicts, economic hardships, and seasonal challenges like approaching winter complicate recovery efforts. In the following sections, we’ll dive into the details of what transpired, the human toll, the response on the ground, and the bigger picture of seismic risks in the region—drawing from official reports, eyewitness accounts, and expert analyses to paint a comprehensive portrait.
The Quake: Timing, Location, and Technical Details
The earthquake registered 6.3 on the moment magnitude scale according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), though Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations reported it as 6.8. It occurred at 00:59 Afghanistan Time (AFT), or 20:29 UTC on November 2, with the epicenter at coordinates 36.589°N, 67.484°E—roughly 22 km west-southwest of Khulm in Nahri Shahi District, Balkh Province. The depth was approximately 28 km, classifying it as a shallow quake, which typically causes more surface damage than deeper ones.
Afghanistan’s tectonic setting makes such events inevitable. The country lies within a zone of continental deformation in the Eurasian Plate, influenced by the subduction of the Arabian and Indian Plates. This interaction creates active fault lines, including the Chaman Fault, leading to frequent earthquakes. The Hindu Kush region, in particular, experiences deep-focus quakes due to slab detachment, but this one was shallower, aligning with strike-slip faulting common in the area. Tremors extended beyond borders, felt in Mashhad (Iran), Islamabad (Pakistan), and along the India-Pakistan border, but no significant damage was reported there.
Social media buzzed with real-time accounts. For instance, India’s National Center for Seismology posted: “EQ of M: 6.3, On: 03/11/2025 01:59:02 IST, Lat: 36.51 N, Long: 67.50 E, Depth: 23 Km, Location: Afghanistan.” Another user shared a video alert: “🚨Earthquake in Afghanistan! 🚨 🇦🇫 Region: Samangan 🔥Magnitude: 6.3 📌Date: November 3, 2025, 12:58 AM ⬇️Depth: 10 km 🌏 Epicenter: 35 km SW of Khulm.” These posts helped spread awareness quickly, though they also highlighted variations in reported depths (10–28 km).
Human Toll: Casualties, Injuries, and Personal Stories
As of the latest updates, the death toll stands at least 20, with injuries exceeding 643, according to the Taliban government’s Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority. Health Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman noted that 25 individuals are in serious condition, and the figures are preliminary as rescue operations unfold. In Balkh Province, four deaths and numerous injuries occurred in Sholgara District, often from falls during panic or collapsing walls. Samangan Province reported eight fatalities, including six in Khulm District, with a landslide on Asian Highway 7 burying a road section and claiming 10 lives while injuring 43.
Eyewitness accounts add a human layer. Survivor Mohammad Rahim from Tashqurghan district recounted: “When we finally got outside, there was so much dust in the air that we couldn’t see anything.” In Mazar-i-Sharif, a city of about 523,000, dozens were hurt by broken windows and mass panic, with one house badly damaged and walls collapsing in nearby villages. Many injuries stemmed from people jumping from buildings in fear, as noted by Balkh spokesperson Haji Zaid.
These discrepancies often arise from ongoing assessments in hard-to-reach areas.
Damage Assessment: Infrastructure and Cultural Sites
Structural damage was widespread but varied. In rural zones, mud-brick homes collapsed, trapping residents, while urban areas saw cracked walls and shattered glass. A key cultural loss: the Blue Mosque (Mausoleum of Imam Ali), a 15th-century holy site famed for its azure tiles, had pieces of a minaret break off. Power disruptions hit nationwide, as lines from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were affected, leaving even Kabul in the dark.
USGS models predicted potential for hundreds of fatalities based on shaking intensity, but actual numbers are lower so far, possibly due to the nighttime timing reducing outdoor exposure. No major aftershocks were reported immediately, but experts warn of possible follow-ups.
Response Efforts: Local and International
The Taliban-led government acted swiftly, with the Ministry of Defence releasing footage of soldiers digging through rubble. Health teams arrived promptly, and hospitals were on standby, as stated by Sharafat Zaman: “Our rescue and health teams have arrived in the area, and all nearby hospitals have been put on standby.” Police monitored for looting or further instability.
Internationally, the UN mission pledged support: “We stand with the affected communities and will provide necessary support.” India, a key aid provider, handed over relief materials, with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announcing: “Indian relief material for the earthquake impacted communities is being handed over today. Further supplies of medicines to reach soon.” Groups like Save The Children emphasized winter vulnerabilities, noting reduced foreign aid and refugee deportations exacerbate the crisis.
Social media amplified calls for help. One detailed post from a veteran user outlined: “A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit near Khulm… Tremors were felt as far as Termez and Dushanbe… Likely aftershocks expected.” Sami Sadat, Chairman of the Afghanistan United Front, sent condolences, reflecting cross-factional empathy.
Historical Context and Future Risks
This quake follows a devastating 6.3 magnitude event in August 2025 in eastern Afghanistan, which killed over 2,200. Earlier disasters include the 2023 Herat quake (hundreds dead) and 2022 Nangarhar event (similar tolls). Afghanistan’s location on converging plates means earthquakes are common, but poverty and conflict hinder preparedness. With winter nearing, aid groups warn of heightened risks for displaced families.
In summary, while the immediate response shows progress, long-term resilience requires sustained international engagement. As one official put it, the toll may rise, but so does the spirit of those affected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the magnitude and epicenter of the earthquake?
The earthquake registered a magnitude of 6.3 on the moment magnitude scale, with its epicenter located near Khulm in Balkh province, northern Afghanistan, at a depth of about 28 km. This shallow depth contributed to stronger surface shaking in the affected areas.
When did the earthquake occur?
It struck early on November 3, 2025, at approximately 00:59 local time (20:29 UTC on November 2). The timing, in the middle of the night, likely increased panic as people were asleep, leading to injuries from rushing outdoors.
How many casualties have been reported?
At least 20 people have been confirmed dead, with injuries ranging from 320 to over 643, including 25 in serious condition. These are preliminary figures, and the toll may rise as rescue operations reach remote villages.
What kind of damage was caused to infrastructure and landmarks?
Damage included partial destruction to the historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, where masonry and tiles were affected, though the main structure held. Nationwide power outages occurred due to disrupted transmission lines, and rural homes collapsed, with reports of a rockslide blocking roads.
Which provinces were most affected?
The hardest-hit areas were in Balkh and Samangan provinces, with tremors also felt in neighboring countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan. Urban areas like Mazar-i-Sharif saw minor structural issues, while rural districts experienced more severe building collapses.
Why is Afghanistan prone to earthquakes?
Afghanistan lies along the boundary of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates in the Hindu Kush region, leading to frequent seismic activity. This geological setting has caused multiple major quakes historically, exacerbated by poor infrastructure and building practices.
How does this quake compare to recent events in Afghanistan?
This is the second major earthquake in two months, following an August 2025 quake that killed over 2,200 people in eastern Afghanistan. While smaller in scale, it adds to the strain on a country already dealing with recovery from prior disasters in 2022 and 2023.
What response efforts are underway?
Taliban authorities deployed rescue teams from the Ministry of Defence and Health, with hospitals on high alert. Local residents assisted in rescues, and assessments are ongoing to determine full extent of needs.
What international aid has been pledged?
India is sending relief materials and medicines, while the UN, UNICEF, and IOM are on the ground providing support. The UK has expressed condolences and noted humanitarian partners’ involvement.
What are the potential long-term impacts?
The quake compounds Afghanistan’s humanitarian crises, including poverty, drought, and refugee returns. With winter approaching, displaced families face heightened risks, and recovery may be slowed by limited resources and aid.
