In brief
A fire broke out on Friday inside the underground Bakhtar Market in Mazar-i-Sharif, destroying 135 shops with no casualties reported. Local media say the blaze mainly hit clothing, footwear, and tourist office stalls. Investigation teams are working to determine the cause while officials promise aid and a review of safety guidelines.
A fire ripped through an underground market in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan, on Friday, reducing at least 135 shops to ashes.
Xinhua said the blaze destroyed clothing stores, footwear outlets and tourist office stalls, but no victims were reported.
Local media outlet TOLOnews reported that the incident caused heavy losses to traders and had no recorded human casualties.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
Investigation teams have been dispatched to the scene to determine what sparked the inferno.
The market, known as Bakhtar Market, is a key commercial hub for the region.
Officials said the fire was quickly contained, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of underground trading sites amid security and infrastructure challenges in the area.
The market houses a variety of goods, including textile mules and local crafts, attracting both local shoppers and tourists.
Trade leaders expressed concern over the economic impact, stating that the loss of 135 shops could affect livelihoods for many families.
The local government is promising to provide assistance to affected vendors and to review safety regulations for underground markets.
As investigations continue, residents are urged to report any suspicious activity and cooperate with authorities.
The region’s economy, already strained by recent instability, may feel the full impact of such a large-scale commercial loss.
Officials said that reconstruction plans will be prioritized in a follow‑up meeting scheduled for next week.