Khaberni - Regional authorities reported that a 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook the city of Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan early this morning, resulting in the death of at least 7 people and injuring about 150 others.
The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 28 kilometers near Mazar-e Sharif, which has a population of approximately 523,000 people.
Samim Jawienda, a spokesperson for the Health Department in Samangan, a mountainous province north near Mazar-e Sharif, told Reuters, "Up to this morning, 150 injured people and seven deaths were reported, and they were transported to health centers."
He added that the death toll was based on hospital reports collected until Monday morning.
The United States Geological Survey issued an orange alert in its PAGER system, an automated system that issues information on earthquake impacts, noting that "significant human casualties are likely, and the disaster could be widespread."
The agency added that past events reaching this level of alert required a regional or national response.
Haji Zaid, a spokesperson for Balkh region, mentioned that the earthquake damaged part of the holy shrine in Mazar-e Sharif, referring to the Blue Mosque.
The national disaster management authority announced that reports on losses and damage would be published later.
Reuters was unable to verify the extent of the damages caused by the earthquake yet.
The social media platform X published videos of rescue efforts to save those trapped under the rubble, and pictures of debris falling from buildings.
Reuters also could not immediately verify the authenticity of the video clips and images.
The Taliban movement, which holds power in Afghanistan, stated that thousands of people died and thousands more were injured after the country was hit by an earthquake and a series of aftershocks in August.
In 2015, an earthquake hit northeastern Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people in Afghanistan and neighboring northern Pakistan. In 2023, another earthquake claimed the lives of at least a thousand people.
