Afghanistan earthquake kills 21, historic sites damaged

Survivors of a powerful earthquake in northern Afghanistan spent Monday night outdoors in freezing temperatures as rescue operations continued and historical sites suffered damage.

The 6.3-magnitude quake struck just before 1 AM Monday near Khulm in Samangan province, killing 21 and injuring over 800, including 25 seriously, according to Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority. Rain forecast for the region has added to the hardships of those affected, reports AP.

The earthquake damaged significant landmarks, including the famed Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif and the 19th-century Bagh-e Jehan Nama Palace in Khulm. Minarets, walls, and towers were cracked or collapsed, prompting calls for urgent restoration before winter.

Locals reported fear after aftershocks, destroyed homes, and lack of proper shelter, sanitation, and basic necessities. Authorities provided tents and relief, while rescue teams continued clearing rubble. The World Health Organization noted damage to several health facilities, including the collapse of Samangan Provincial Hospital’s laboratory, complicating emergency care.

Afghanistan’s remote, poverty-stricken regions face ongoing challenges responding to natural disasters, with previous earthquakes in August killing over 2,200 people.