A strong earthquake occurred in northern Afghanistan, killing at least 20 people and injuring hundreds. According to local officials, the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue. The earthquake struck around 1 a.m. on Monday near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake had a magnitude of 6.3.
The Ministry of Health announced that more than 530 people were injured. Representatives of Balkh province reported that many residents were wounded and some buildings were damaged. Some people were injured after jumping from tall buildings. During the earthquake, residents of Mazar-i-Sharif left their homes and ran into the streets.
The natural disaster also damaged the country’s power networks. Electricity supply across the country, including the capital Kabul, was cut off after power lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were damaged.
Afghanistan is located in a region very prone to earthquakes. In August, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake in the eastern part of the country killed more than 1,100 people. Experts say that in Afghanistan, many houses are not earthquake-resistant and poor communication systems make rescue operations difficult.
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