The Taliban’s Ministry of Public Health said the death toll from an overnight earthquake in northern Afghanistan has risen to more than 20, with about 320 others injured. Officials warned that the number of casualties could increase as rescue operations continue.

Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, said efforts are underway to transfer the wounded from affected areas to nearby hospitals and health centres.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X that the earthquake caused significant human and material losses in the provinces of Balkh, Samangan, and Baghlan. He did not provide further details but said relevant departments were working to assist affected residents.

Meanwhile, the Taliban’s Ministry of Defence said the Kabul–Mazar-e-Sharif highway, which had been blocked by a landslide in the Tashqurghan area following the quake, has now been reopened to traffic.