M 6.3 - 35 km SW of Khulm, Afghanistan

Northern Afghanistan Earthquake (Khulm Area)

Event: M 6.3 Earthquake – Northern Afghanistan

Location (USGS): ~22–35 km WSW/SW of Khulm, near the Afghanistan–Uzbekistan border

Date/Time: 30 November 2025, 00:59 local time (30 November 2025, 20:29 UTC) earthquake.usgs.gov+1

Depth: ~28 km (intermediate, crustal) earthquake.usgs.gov+1

Magnitude: 6.3 (USGS; reported as 6.2–6.8 by other agencies) Wikipedia+1

Intensity: Up to VII (Very Strong) shaking in Khulm and nearby districts Wikipedia

1. Situation Overview

In the early hours of 3 November 2025, a M 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan near Khulm, affecting communities across Balkh, Samangan, Baghlan and Badakhshan provinces. The epicentre was located between Khulm and Mazar-e-Sharif, close to the Uzbekistan border. Wikipedia+2UNICEF+2

The quake triggered building collapses, landslides and power outages, and damaged both residential structures and public facilities. Aftershocks have been recorded and are expected to continue. Wikipedia+1

2. Human Impact (as currently reported)

Figures vary by source and are still being refined. Based on consolidated reporting:

• Fatalities: At least 31 deaths reported to date. Wikipedia+2AP News+2

• Injuries: Approximately 1,100–1,200 people injured across the affected provinces (UN & national sources). Wikipedia+2UNICEF+2

• Displacement: Hundreds of households displaced due to destroyed or unsafe homes (ongoing verification). Wikipedia+1

Provincial snapshot (preliminary): Wikipedia+2UNICEF+2

• Balkh Province:

  • 12 deaths; over 600 injured.

  • Damage in all districts, with serious impacts in Sholgara and peri-urban Mazar-e-Sharif.

• Samangan Province (Khulm focus):

  • 11+ deaths; 300+ injured.

  • A landslide on Asian Highway 7 in Khulm district killed at least 10 people and injured dozens more.

• Other provinces (Badakhshan, Baghlan and neighbouring areas):

  • Hundreds of homes partially or totally destroyed; additional injuries and secondary displacement reported.

Numbers are expected to be revised upwards as access improves to remote and mountainous communities.

3. Damage to Infrastructure & Services

Reported impacts include: Wikipedia+2AP News

• Housing:

  • ~305 homes destroyed and ~1,000+ damaged in Balkh and Samangan alone, with additional damage in Badakhshan and other provinces.

• Transport & Access:

  • Landslide blocking segments of Asian Highway 7 (AH7) in Khulm.

  • Local roads in rural districts impacted, slowing assessments and relief delivery.

• Health & Social Infrastructure:

  • Laboratory of Samangan Provincial Hospital collapsed, damaging critical diagnostic equipment; at least two other health facilities reported damaged.

  • Damage to schools and community buildings in worst-hit districts.

• Energy & Utilities:

  • Power lines linking Afghanistan to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan damaged, causing outages in up to nine provinces (including Kabul).

  • Localized damage to water networks and wells; risk of service disruption in affected villages.

• Cultural/Historic Sites:

  • Damage reported to the Blue Mosque (Mazar-i-Sharif) and other heritage structures such as the Mausoleum of Imam Ali and Bagh-e Jehan Nama Palace. Wikipedia+1

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4. Priority Humanitarian Needs 

🏥 Life-Saving & Emergency Health

• Trauma management: crush injuries, fractures, head injuries

• Temporary medical tents & supplies

• Surge support to hospitals

🏠 Shelter & NFIs

• Emergency shelter kits

• Winterized tents, blankets, mattresses

• Cooking sets, lighting, heaters

🚰 WASH

• Safe water (tankering, purification tablets)

• Hygiene kits

• Repair of damaged water systems

🛡️ Protection & Psychosocial Support

• Psychological First Aid (PFA)

• Special focus on:

  • children

  • women

  • elderly

  • persons with disabilities

🏗️ Early Recovery & Infrastructure

• Debris removal (including AH7 landslide)

• Emergency repair of electricity & telecom lines

• Restoration of key services

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6.Relief Center Reports

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Click here to read Relief Center's exclusive reports about Afghanistan

7.Useful Links