What's happened
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, with the epicenter near Khulm. At least 20 people were killed and over 500 injured. Damage includes destroyed homes and historic sites. Rescue efforts are ongoing in Balkh and Samangan provinces amid challenging conditions.
What's behind the headline?
The earthquake’s impact highlights Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters, exacerbated by poor building standards and limited emergency resources. The damage to historic sites like the Blue Mosque underscores cultural loss. The response is hampered by ongoing instability and infrastructure challenges, likely prolonging recovery. International aid, including UN support, will be crucial, but the country’s ongoing crises may limit effective response. This event will likely deepen humanitarian needs and strain local resources, with long-term consequences for regional stability.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports the earthquake's epicenter was 22 km west-southwest of Khulm, causing at least 20 deaths and 534 injuries, with ongoing rescue efforts. The NY Post notes the quake struck at 12:59 a.m. at a depth of 17 miles, with initial casualty figures of 20 dead and 320 injured. The Independent emphasizes the earthquake's proximity to historic sites and ongoing aid efforts, citing multiple provinces affected and recent past quakes that have caused thousands of deaths. All sources agree on the quake's severity, the ongoing rescue operations, and Afghanistan's vulnerability to such natural disasters, compounded by infrastructural weaknesses and recent seismic activity.
How we got here
Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes due to its geological setting. Recent years have seen multiple major quakes, including a 6.0 magnitude in August 2025 that killed over 2,200 people. The country’s fragile infrastructure and remote locations complicate disaster response efforts.
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