A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan late Sunday night, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 300 others. A health department official gave this information.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was 22 km west-southwest of Khullam, Afghanistan, at a depth of 28 km. The earthquake occurred at 12:59 pm on Sunday night local time.
Public Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman said at least 20 people were killed and 320 were injured in the earthquake.
Afghanistan’s disaster management agency spokesman Yusuf Hammad said most of the injured suffered minor injuries and were released from hospitals after initial treatment.
The Defense Ministry said rescue and emergency assistance teams have reached Balkh and Samangan provinces, hardest hit by Sunday night’s earthquake, and have begun rescue operations, including evacuating the injured and assisting affected families. Balkh and Samangan provinces suffered the most damage.