A powerful earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan, leaving at least eight people dead and many others injured. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue searching through the rubble.
The 6.3-magnitude quake hit the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, home to over half a million people, in the early hours of Monday morning. More than 180 people were reportedly injured, with many sustaining injuries after falling from buildings during the tremor.
Witnesses said residents rushed out of their homes in panic as buildings shook and walls cracked. Videos shared online showed debris scattered around the Blue Mosque, one of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Officials in nearby provinces also reported casualties and damage, especially in mountainous areas where rescue operations are more difficult.
This latest quake comes just months after another deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan that claimed more than a thousand lives. Experts say the country remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes because it sits on several active fault lines where major tectonic plates meet.