A powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan overnight, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 500, officials said Monday, marking the latest in a series of deadly tremors to hit the country in recent years.

The 6.3-magnitude quake hit at a depth of 28 kilometres (17 miles) near Mazar-i-Sharif, one of the region’s largest cities, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Health ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman said, “Based on the information we have so far, 534 people have been injured and more than 20 fatalities have been taken to hospitals in Samangan and Balkh provinces.”

In Mazar-i-Sharif, residents were seen rushing into the streets as buildings shook. The city’s historic Blue Mosque, a 15th-century landmark known for its vibrant tiles, sustained damage, with parts of one minaret broken and scattered across the mosque grounds. Tremors were reportedly felt as far south as Kabul, approximately 420 kilometres away.

Authorities have faced challenges in assessing damage in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions due to poor infrastructure and communication networks. The Defence Ministry reported that the main road between Mazar-i-Sharif and the town of Kholm had been cleared, with stranded residents rescued overnight.

Deputy Taliban spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said, “Numerous homes have been destroyed, and significant material losses have been incurred,” without providing specific figures.

The earthquake comes months after a devastating 6.0-magnitude tremor in eastern Afghanistan in August, which killed over 2,200 people and caused approximately $183 million in damages, according to the World Bank.

Afghanistan, located along the seismically active Hindu Kush mountain range, frequently experiences earthquakes. Previous major tremors in Herat in 2023 and Nangarhar in 2022 claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed thousands of homes.

The country’s humanitarian situation remains dire, with ongoing drought, economic restrictions, and the forced return of Afghan citizens from neighbouring countries exacerbating the crisis. The United Nations and aid agencies have repeatedly warned of rising hunger and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

Authorities continue rescue and relief operations, with officials urging affected communities to remain cautious and assist in emergency measures.

The special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, Daniel Bwala, says the Nigerian leader and US President Donald Trump will meet “in the coming days” to discuss claims of Christian genocide in the country.

The statement follows Trump’s remark that the Nigerian government has ignored attacks on Christians, a claim that has sparked fierce debate.

Bwala highlighted the commitment of both leaders to combatting insurgency and terrorism.

The presidential aide said Trump has supported Nigeria by authorising arms sales, which Tinubu has effectively utilised in the fight against terrorism, yielding significant results.

Addressing the controversy over whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all faiths, Bwala said any differences in perspective would be resolved during the upcoming meeting, which could take place at the State House in Abuja or the White House in Washington.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to religious freedom amid the allegation of genocide against Christians in the country by the Donald Trump administration.

In a statement he personally signed and shared by Bayo Onanuga his spokesman,Tinubu said his administration had since 2023, maintained open and active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to strengthen national unity and address security challenges affecting communities across the country.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality. Nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

He reiterated that religious freedom and tolerance have long been “a core tenet of our collective identity,” adding that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.

”Tinubu emphasised that his government remains committed to working closely with the United States and other international partners “to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.

”Read the full statement below:

Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.

The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.

Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.

Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.

Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.

BOLA AHMED TINUBUPRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA