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A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck northeast of the Egyptian city of Suez in the early hours of Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The shallow earthquake occurred at about 12:00 a.m. GMT and was centred approximately 41 kilometres north-northeast of Suez, a strategic city located at the southern entrance of the Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
The tremor was felt in several parts of the country, including the capital, Cairo, where residents reported brief shaking. An AFP journalist in the city also confirmed feeling the earthquake.
There were no immediate reports of casualties, injuries or damage to buildings and infrastructure. Egyptian authorities had not issued any emergency alerts or evacuation orders as of the time this report was filed, while assessments were expected to continue to determine whether any communities closer to the epicentre were affected.
Earthquakes of this magnitude are considered moderate and can be felt over a wide area, although they do not always result in significant destruction, particularly when they occur away from densely populated areas.
Egypt is not among the world’s most seismically active countries, but it occasionally experiences earthquakes because of its proximity to major geological fault systems, including the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea Rift.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation, while residents have been advised to remain calm and follow any safety guidance issued by emergency management agencies.
