Kabul:  A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck northern Afghanistan early on Monday, causing deaths and injuries and shaking several parts of the country including the capital city Kabul.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake occurred near the town of Khulm in the Balkh province, close to Mazar-e-Sharif. The tremor struck at a shallow depth of around 28 kilometres, which made the shaking more intense on the surface.

Officials reported that at least seven people were killed and more than 150 others were injured in the disaster. Hospitals in the region have been receiving the wounded, and rescue teams are continuing to assess damage in remote areas.

The quake was felt strongly in Kabul and nearby provinces, forcing people to rush out of their homes in panic. Initial reports from the affected region suggest that several houses and buildings were damaged, though detailed assessments are still ongoing.

Afghanistan’s northern region is not as frequently affected by major earthquakes as its eastern areas, but the country as a whole remains highly vulnerable because of weak infrastructure and limited emergency resources.

Humanitarian groups have warned that the latest quake adds pressure to an already strained response system. Earlier this year, devastating earthquakes in eastern Afghanistan killed thousands of people and left many homeless.

Authorities have urged people to stay alert for aftershocks, as seismologists warn that smaller tremors may continue over the coming days.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, and emergency workers are struggling to reach some of the remote villages near the epicentre. International aid agencies have also offered to provide support if needed.

This latest earthquake is another reminder of Afghanistan’s fragile situation, where natural disasters continue to cause suffering in a country already facing economic and humanitarian challenges.