A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Egypt in the early hours of Monday, shaking buildings across Cairo, Suez, and several other cities, prompting authorities to activate nationwide emergency response plans despite no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. According to Egypt’s National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), the earthquake occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT). The epicentre was located about 40 kilometres north of Suez, with tremors felt across much of the country, including the capital Cairo and El-Arish near Egypt’s border with the Gaza Strip. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) later measured the quake at magnitude 5.0, revising an earlier estimate, highlighting slight differences that often occur between seismic monitoring agencies.
In response, Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar directed hospitals, ambulance services, and emergency response teams to operate at the highest level of readiness while authorities assessed the impact of the tremor. The Egyptian Health Ministry and the Egyptian Red Crescent confirmed that there were no immediate reports of deaths, injuries, or major structural damage. Emergency teams continued inspections of public infrastructure and residential buildings as a precaution. The Egyptian Red Crescent also urged residents to avoid entering old or structurally weakened buildings, particularly in densely populated neighborhoods of Cairo, until engineers complete safety assessments.
Officials encouraged the public to remain calm, rely on verified information, and follow guidance issued by emergency authorities. Although Egypt is not among the world’s most seismically active countries, it occasionally experiences moderate earthquakes due to its proximity to major geological fault lines in the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea region. The country’s deadliest modern earthquake occurred in October 1992, when a 5.8-magnitude quake struck near Cairo, killing more than 500 people, injuring thousands, and causing widespread destruction, making Monday’s tremor a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness.
