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