Early Monday morning, residents of Cairo and areas near the Suez Canal got quite a scare. A 5,6 magnitude earthquake struck the region at 3:00 a.m. local time, waking many people. Fortunately, authorities have reported no casualties, although some limited property damage has been reported.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the province of Suez, about 38 kilometers north of the city of Suez and approximately 120 kilometers east of the Egyptian capital. According to the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), the tremor had a depth of ten kilometers and occurred at exactly 03:00 a.m. local time (00:00 GMT). The exact coordinates of the epicenter were 32,61 degrees east latitude and 30,30 degrees north longitude.
Property damage and emergency response
>
Although no one was injured, the earthquake caused some incidents. The Egyptian Red Crescent reported the collapse of a balcony in a house in Suez province, as well as the partial collapse of a building in the Rod al-Farag neighborhood, north of Cairo. In both cases, no one was trapped or injured. The Egyptian Ministry of Health immediately activated an emergency plan to coordinate earthquake monitoring with all provinces, while the Red Crescent implemented its response protocols in the affected governorates.
Authorities advised residents to avoid approaching old buildings or those with cracks , and to stay tuned to official announcements. They also urged people not to use elevators if they felt further tremors.
Responses and public reaction
>
The head of the NRIAG earthquake department, Sherif al-Hady, confirmed to the Egyptian channel Extra News that five aftershocks had been recorded so far , all of minor intensity. The strongest reached a magnitude of 3,0. Specialists anticipate that any further aftershocks will be of lesser intensity than the main event.
The tremor caused considerable concern among residents, particularly in the Cairo metropolitan area and the Suez and Delta provinces. Many shared on social media how they felt their homes shake for several seconds before dawn, describing the experience as harrowing.
Seismic context in Egypt
>
Although Egypt experiences earthquakes with some frequency, most are of low to moderate magnitude. The regions with the highest seismic activity are the Gulf of Suez, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Red Sea, areas where the African and Arabian plates are separating , generating tectonic movements. This latest earthquake falls within this normal dynamic, and authorities continue to assess the situation to rule out any additional risks.
The 5,6 magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter in Suez, caused no casualties but did result in some minor property damage. Egyptian authorities, by activating emergency plans and monitoring for aftershocks, have managed to keep the situation under control, while the population recovers from the morning's scare.