Suez, Egypt (Running Africa) — A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck near the Egyptian city of Suez early Monday, sending tremors across Egypt and several countries in the Middle East, including Israel, the Gaza Strip, Jordan and Lebanon.

The earthquake prompted emergency monitoring across the region, although Egyptian authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant structural damage.

The tremor was widely felt due to its location near one of the region’s most strategically important maritime corridors.

Emergency Teams Placed on Alert

Residents were advised to avoid entering structures showing signs of structural weakness until safety inspections are completed.

Epicenter Located Near Strategic Suez Canal

The earthquake’s epicenter was located north of Suez, the city that sits at the southern entrance to the Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest and most important international shipping routes.

Although the tremor did not immediately disrupt canal operations, the location of the earthquake drew attention because of the canal’s critical role in global trade and energy transportation.

Tremors Felt Across Multiple Countries

The earthquake was felt well beyond Egypt’s borders, with residents in Israel, the Gaza Strip, Jordan and Lebanon reporting noticeable shaking.

The widespread impact reflects the interconnected seismic activity of the eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea region, where earthquakes can be felt across several neighboring countries.

Moderate Earthquakes Not Uncommon in the Region

However, earthquakes causing widespread destruction remain relatively uncommon in Egypt compared with other parts of the region.

Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity while urging the public to remain alert and follow official safety guidance if aftershocks occur.

The latest earthquake serves as a reminder of the region’s underlying seismic risk, even as Egypt escapes significant damage from what officials described as a moderate but widely felt event.