KABUL: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early Monday morning, killing at least 10 people and injuring around 260, according to local officials. Rescue efforts were ongoing, with authorities warning the death toll could rise as more victims are recovered from the debris.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake occurred at a depth of about 28 kilometres near Mazar-e Sharif, a city of more than half a million residents. Tremors were felt across northern Afghanistan, prompting widespread panic as residents rushed out of their homes in the early hours.

Samim Joyanda, spokesperson for the health department in Samangan province, said that more than 150 injured people had been taken to hospitals, while seven deaths were confirmed by Monday morning.

The USGS issued an orange alert, indicating a high likelihood of significant casualties and damage. “This level of earthquake typically requires a national-level response,” the agency noted.

Authorities in Balkh province confirmed that parts of the iconic Blue Mosque — also known as the Shrine of Ali — sustained structural damage. “Sections of the holy shrine have been destroyed,” said provincial spokesperson Haji Zaid.

Videos shared on social media showed rescue teams pulling survivors and bodies from collapsed buildings as residents worked to clear rubble and dust-filled streets.

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Afghanistan’s Vulnerability to Earthquakes

Afghanistan sits atop two major tectonic fault lines, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world. In August, more than 2,200 people were killed in a devastating quake and series of aftershocks in the country’s southeast, leaving thousands displaced.

With limited infrastructure and emergency resources, each new tremor adds to the hardship faced by communities still rebuilding from past disasters.