6.3 Afghanistan Quake Kills at Least 7

A magnitude-6.3 earthquake struck near Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan early Monday at about 28 km depth and was felt as far as Kabul and neighboring countries. Local health authorities, citing hospital reports, said at least seven people were killed and about 150 injured, and warned the toll may rise as search-and-rescue continues. The tremor damaged part of Mazar-e Sharif’s Blue Mosque, triggered landslides that blocked highways and trapped vehicles, and social-media videos showed rescuers pulling people from rubble. The U.S. Geological Survey issued an orange PAGER alert estimating 100–1,000 fatalities and warning that significant casualties and widespread economic losses are likely and that a regional or national response may be required. Afghanistan’s location on active fault lines, recent deadly quakes this year, and existing humanitarian strains raise concern about the country’s capacity to cope and the potential for further damage and rising casualties.