A strong earthquake measuring 6.3 on the moment-magnitude scale struck northern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday, sending residents from their beds into the streets as buildings trembled across several provinces. The seismic event occurred at 12:59 a.m. local time, with its epicentre located roughly 22 kilometres west-south-west of Khulm at a depth of 28 kilometres, according to local seismic monitoring data.
<video controls="controls" width="300" height="150">
<source src="https://ibp-benefits.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/prod/news/uploads/videos/1762131049517_OeyT34h-tjM0EtYa.mp4.mp4" type="video/mp4"></video>
Officials from the national disaster authority report no confirmed casualties or large-scale destruction so far, though field teams are inspecting remote districts where older, unreinforced structures are more vulnerable. In Mazar-e-Sharif, one of the region&rsquo;s most populous cities, residents described a sharp jolt lasting several seconds, followed by anxious moments as families gathered in open spaces.
<img src="https://ibp-benefits.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/prod/news/uploads/images/1762131102533_G4xy4_0bgAEh31e.jpeg.jpeg" alt="G4xy4_0bgAEh31e.jpeg" width="1039" height="969">
The earthquake comes amid heightened sensitivity to seismic risks in Afghanistan, a country straddling active tectonic fault lines. Earlier quakes in 2023 and August 2025 claimed thousands of lives, underscoring the fragility of infrastructure in rural areas. Rescue services have urged caution, warning that after-shocks are possible over the next 24 to 48 hours.
<video controls="controls" width="300" height="150">
<source src="https://ibp-benefits.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/prod/news/uploads/videos/1762131080689_DcNBGYmXky6wdsGg.mp4.mp4" type="video/mp4"></video>
Authorities say rapid damage assessments are under way, with emergency crews placed on standby should the situation deteriorate. Local communities have been advised to avoid unstable structures and monitor official channels for updates.
&nbsp;

Midnight tremor near Khulm triggers safety checks, no injuries confirmed

6.3 Magnitude quake jolts northern Afghanistan

Midnight tremor near Khulm triggers safety checks, no injuries confirmed

November 3, 2025 | 11:53 IST