A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan near Mazar-e-Sharif on 3 November 2025, killing at least 30 people and injuring over 945.
The earthquake caused widespread damage across Balkh and Samangan provinces, destroying homes and blocking roads with landslides. More than 90 houses were damaged, including over 50 in Khulm District, Samangan. Hundereds of people are left displaces, families endure extended stays in temporary settlements.In addition to a lack of access to safe drinking water for displaced families, the UN agency warned of widespread open defecation and poor access to health services for women in particular.
The Shrine of Hazrat Ali, also known as the Blue Mosque was reduced to rubble at the revered site for Shia Muslims. A mountain collapse in the Tangi Tashqurghan valley temporarily blocked the Balkh–Kabul highway due to falling rocks, though the road has since been cleared and reopened.
Emergency teams were rapidly deployed to assist with medical care and assessments. Residents are digging through rubble in search of survivors, while national disaster agencies continue to coordinate relief efforts.
