Earthquake in Afghanistan Leaves Around 320 Injured And At least 10 Dead

Powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocks Mazar-e-Sharif’s Samangan province in Afghanistan, resulting in 10 deaths and over 300 casualties. On November 3, 2025, the magnitude struck minutes before 1.00 a.m. The Samangan region is home to about 5 lakh people and is renowned for its magnificent 15th-century Blue Mosque. 

Dominated by rugged mountain ranges, Afghanistan is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. As per studies cited by Reuters, the landlocked country caused the highest number of fatalities, with an average of 560 deaths annually, and damages worth about $80 million each year.

History of Earthquakes in Afghanistan And Why Do They Occur?

Afghanistan is situated on the edge of the Eurasian plate that collides with the Indian plate, moving toward the north. The convergence and geological events create one of the most tectonically active zones on Earth. As a result, the pushing, twisting, and grinding of plates against one another cause frequent earthquakes. 

Tremors, especially at the borders, are a regular threat across the east and north region of Afghanistan. Countries like Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are more vulnerable to strong tremors. The densely populated capital city, Kabul, faces the highest estimated financial damage from earthquakes, averaging about $17 million each year.

Since 1990, at least 355 earthquakes measuring above magnitude 5.0 have hit Afghanistan and caused severe damage. 

• In 1998, two major earthquakes within three months shook Afghanistan, killing approximately 7000 people.
• In 2015, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake killed around 399 people across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
• In 2022, a 6.0-magnitude quake resulted in the death of 1000 people.
• In 2023, several tremors devastated villages and caused about 1000 deaths.

According to Reuters, enhanced seismic monitoring, advanced early warning systems, and detailed mapping of fault lines through remote-sensing technologies may provide authorities with the necessary information to plan relocations effectively.