Death Toll from Northern Afghanistan Earthquake Rises to 27, Over 730 Injured
At least 27 people have been killed and more than 730 others injured after a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan overnight. The quake affected the provinces of Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Baghlan, and Kunduz, causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure in the region.
According to local Taliban officials, the death toll in Balkh province, including the city of Mazar-i-Sharif and surrounding districts, has reached 12, with 407 people reported injured, said Haji Zaid, spokesman for the Taliban governor in the province.
In Samangan province, Taliban-appointed health director Lotfullah Habibi stated that 11 people were killed and over 270 injured in the quake, which impacted the city of Aibak and the districts of Khulm, Hazrat Sultan, and surrounding areas.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 339 families were affected by the earthquake. The organization highlighted that the destruction of homes and damage to already vulnerable infrastructure underscored the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
Despite the extensive damage, Taliban authorities lack the capacity to effectively respond to such crises. The absence of proper disaster response structures has further complicated conditions for residents in the affected provinces. The international community and humanitarian organizations are urged to coordinate and oversee effective aid efforts to support those impacted by the natural disaster.
