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Shallow Magnitude 5.4–5.6 Earthquake Shakes Eastern Egypt

Its shallow focus sent strong shaking across Greater Cairo and the Nile Delta and led authorities to activate emergency response and warn residents about vulnerable older buildings.

Overview

  • The quake struck roughly 40 kilometres north of Suez at an estimated depth of about 10 kilometres, with agencies reporting magnitudes between about 5.0 and 5.6 after early Monday, August 3 readings.
  • Egypt's health minister ordered national emergency plans activated and ambulance services placed on maximum readiness, and the Egyptian Red Crescent mobilized teams to assess governorates where tremors were felt.
  • There were no confirmed casualties or major structural damage in initial surveys, but officials urged people to avoid older or visibly cracked buildings while assessments continue.
  • Shaking was widely reported across Greater Cairo, Giza and the Nile Delta and was also felt as far east as El-Arish and briefly into parts of southern Israel, reflecting the reach of surface waves from a shallow quake.
  • Seismological agencies differed on the exact magnitude because they used separate sensors and preliminary data, and experts note the event is unusual for the Cairo–Suez corridor, raising concern about risks to aging housing stock and the need for further damage checks and aftershock monitoring.