Earthquake near Crete shakes Cairo

A 6.24-magnitude earthquake struck early Thursday morning at 6:19 a.m. Cairo local time, causing mild tremors in parts of Egypt but resulting in no reported casualties or damage to infrastructure or facilities.

According to a statement from the Cairo Governorate, the quake was closely monitored by the National Emergency and Public Safety Network Control Center and the Central Operations Room, in coordination with the Cairo Security Directorate, Civil Defense, and local authorities. The situation was quickly stabilized, and surveillance efforts remain ongoing.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located near the island of Crete, at a depth of approximately 68.91 kilometers, and roughly 499 kilometers north of Marsa Matrouh, on Egypt’s North Coast. 

The tremor was also felt in Turkey, Greece, and Libya, countries within the broader seismic zone of the eastern Mediterranean.

Despite the distance from the epicenter, many residents in Cairo reported feeling the tremor. 

Taha Rabeh, head of the Egyptian National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, explained that the soft clay soil in Cairo amplified the quake’s effects. 

This comes just over a week after a similar 6.4-magnitude earthquake, also originating near Crete, was felt in Egypt on May 14, again with no casualties or damage.

Rabeh emphasized that the eastern Mediterranean region is highly active seismically, due to the subduction of the African plate beneath the European plate and the presence of active geological faults, which makes it susceptible to frequent tremors.

Rabeh urged citizens to remain calm during such events and to avoid rushing outdoors. Instead, he advised people to seek shelter under sturdy furniture, stay away from windows, and avoid unsecured objects, noting that panic can lead to greater harm than the quake itself.

Authorities reiterated their commitment to continued monitoring and readiness, assuring the public that Egypt's emergency systems are on alert and capable of managing potential seismic incidents.