Powerful Afghan earthquake leaves at least 20 dead and hundreds injured

Northern provinces of Balkh and Samangan worst hit by magnitude 6.3 quake, which also slightly damaged Mazar-i-Sharif’s Blue Mosque A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook northern Afghanistan before dawn on Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 640 others, 25 critically, a disaster management official said. Health officials said the numbers could rise.The US Geological Survey said the quake’s epicentre was located 22km (14 miles) west-southwest of the town of Khulm, and that it struck at 12.59am at a depth of 28km (17 miles). Continue reading...