A pre-dawn earthquake shook millions awake across Egypt, sending tremors through Cairo and surrounding cities and triggering a swift nationwide emergency response.
The magnitude 5.5 quake struck at around 3:00 a.m. local time near the city of Suez, according to Egypt’s National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. Its epicentre was located roughly 40 kilometres north of Suez, but the shaking travelled far beyond, reaching the capital Cairo and even El-Arish near the Gaza border.
For several moments, buildings swayed and residents rushed to check on loved ones, as uncertainty spread in the early hours of Monday.
Despite the widespread impact, officials say there are no immediate reports of casualties or major destruction. Still, authorities are not taking any chances.
Egypt’s Health Minister, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, ordered emergency systems to be activated across the country, with ambulances and medical teams placed on maximum alert.
The Egyptian Red Crescent also confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation.
Caution over older buildings
While the quake did not cause visible large-scale damage, concerns remain over vulnerable structures, especially in densely populated parts of Cairo where ageing buildings are common.
Residents have been advised to stay away from weakened or older properties until safety checks are completed. Authorities continue to assess potential risks while urging the public to remain calm but alert.
A rare but unsettling reminder
Earthquakes of this scale are not common in Egypt, which made the overnight tremor all the more unsettling.
For many, it revived memories of the country’s deadliest modern disaster, the 1992 earthquake near Cairo. That magnitude 5.8 event killed more than 500 people, injured thousands and left entire communities displaced.
Monday’s quake may not have caused immediate harm, but it has once again highlighted the country’s vulnerability, and the importance of preparedness when the ground starts to shake.