A magnitude 5.5 earthquake shook eastern Egypt early Monday morning, disturbing buildings in Cairo and prompting authorities to activate emergency protocols nationwide. While no deaths or major structural damages were immediately reported, officials placed emergency services on maximum alert out of precaution.
According to the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, the quake struck around 3:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT). The epicenter was located roughly 40 kilometers north of Suez, with shockwaves felt across a broad region, reaching the capital city of Cairo and extending east toward El-Arish near the border with the Gaza Strip.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the shallow tremor at a magnitude of 5.0, adjusting an earlier evaluation.
Following the event, Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar ordered the activation of emergency response plans across the country, instructing ambulance fleets to remain at the highest level of readiness.
Despite the widespread shaking, initial assessments from both the health ministry and the Egyptian Red Crescent confirmed no immediate casualties, injuries, or severe destruction.
The Egyptian Red Crescent advised citizens to steer clear of old or structurally compromised buildings, particularly those in Cairo’s densely populated working-class neighborhoods, until safety evaluations could be conducted. Officials continue to monitor the situation while asking the public to remain calm and follow safety advisories.
Although powerful quakes are relatively rare in Egypt, the country has experienced catastrophic seismic activity in the past. The deadliest earthquake in modern Egyptian history occurred in October 1992, when a magnitude 5.8 quake struck near Cairo, killing over 500 people, injuring thousands, and leaving many homeless.
