A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif early Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 320 others. The tremor, which originated at a depth of 28 kilometers, caused widespread panic and severe destruction across Balkh and Samangan provinces. Rescue teams have been dispatched to remote areas where several villages were reportedly flattened, and officials fear the death toll could rise as more bodies are recovered from the rubble. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) issued an orange alert, warning of significant casualties and potentially widespread damage.

Authorities reported that parts of Mazar-e-Sharif’s iconic Blue Mosque, one of Afghanistan’s most sacred and historic landmarks, were damaged in the quake. Footage circulating on social media showed broken tiles and collapsed masonry within the mosque’s courtyard, though the main structure remained standing. The centuries-old mosque, believed to house the tomb of the Prophet Mohammad’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib, stands as a symbol of Afghanistan’s cultural and religious heritage. Officials have placed hospitals across the region on high alert to treat the influx of injured victims.

The disaster adds to the growing challenges faced by Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration, already struggling with humanitarian crises, refugee deportations, and a decline in international aid. Power outages were reported in several provinces, including the capital, Kabul, following the quake. Afghanistan, which lies on multiple active fault lines, has experienced several deadly earthquakes in recent years, including one in August that killed over 2,000 people. Relief operations are ongoing as authorities and aid organizations work to assess the full scale of the devastation.