A fire erupted late Friday at the underground Bakhtar Market in the provincial capital of Mazar‑i‑Sharif, destroying at least 135 shops and causing heavy economic losses for traders, according to Xinhua and local outlet TOLOnews. No casualties were reported as of the latest statements.
The blaze was reported to have broken out in a market that is described as underground, a feature that has not made headlines in previous coverage. The destruction encompassed a variety of retail categories, including clothing stores, footwear outlets, and tourist office stalls, indicating that the market serves both local consumers and visitors to the region.
Local media TOLOnews noted that the fire gutted the clothing, footwear, and tourist office stalls in the market, causing intense damage to the assets of 135 businesses. While Xinhua reported on the extensive damage and the economic blow it has dealt, the outlet also confirmed that no human casualties have yet been reported.
Both Xinhua and TOLOnews said that the cause of the fire remains unknown. Investigation teams have been dispatched to the scene, and an inquiry has been launched to determine the trigger of the blaze. The nature of the underground location may have complicated both the spread of the fire and the assessment of its origin.
The economic losses reported in the statements are described as heavy, but no figures are provided in the sources. The destruction of clothing and footwear shops, along with tourist offices, suggests a severe blow to the local economy, affecting both artisanal traders and the tourism sector, which is a key contributor to the economy of Mazar‑i‑Sharif.
In its 2026-10-31 report, Xinhua highlighted that the investigation was under way and that authorities had begun an inquiry into the cause. The statement was made before the completion of that inquiry, which is another point of uncertainty.
Absence of casualties has been confirmed by both Xinhua and local media until the time of the report, but it remains unclear whether further information might alter that assessment as investigations continue.
The incident underscored the vulnerability of underground market infrastructure in the region. While not previously covered in depth, the presence of a significant underground commercial hub may raise questions about building codes, fire safety protocols, and emergency response capabilities in Balkh province.
Investigation teams remain at the scene, and no definitive cause has been identified. The only details provided are that the blaze destroyed 135 shops and caused heavy economic losses. No further information about the cause or the extent of the damage is currently available.
What remains uncertain is the exact trigger of the fire, the full scope of economic losses, the potential for casualties as investigations progress, and whether the incident may prompt changes to fire safety regulations in underground market settings.