A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 600, officials said.

The quake hit near Khulm in Balkh Province just before 1:00 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Tremors were felt across Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, Kunduz, and Badakhshan, where hundreds of homes collapsed.

In Badakhshan, around 800 houses were damaged, and rescue teams are struggling to reach remote areas. The historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e Sharif also suffered partial damage.

A rockslide briefly blocked the main highway between Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif, though it has since been cleared.

Aid agencies warn that with winter approaching, thousands could face harsh conditions without urgent shelter and medical support.

This is Afghanistan’s second major earthquake in recent months, following an August disaster that killed over 2,200 people in the east. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.