5.3 magnitude earthquake hits Syria’s Hama
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian National Earthquake Center (NEC) announced late on Monday that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 hit east of the city of Hama in central Syria.
The NEC recorded the earthquake at 11:56 PM Syrian time with the epicenter occurring approximately 28 km east of Hama and 3.9 km deep.
On Feb. 7, 2023, a major earthquake hit northwestern Syria and southern Turkey.
The devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit various areas of Aleppo, Idlib, and Latakia governorates in northwestern Syria, killing about 6000 people.
Subsequently, the center issued further updates about additional tremors in Hama, ranging in magnitude from 3 to 4 degrees.
Residents in northern Syria, the countryside of Aleppo, and other coastal areas reported feeling the earthquake, with some people evacuating to the streets out of fear of aftershocks.
Official authorities have not reported any material or physical damage resulting from the ongoing tremors.
The SSGEOS, a research institute for monitoring geometry between celestial bodies related to seismic activity, said that aftershocks in Syria are normal but warned that the recent activity could be a precursor to a larger earthquake.
The SSGEOS noted that the earthquake was preceded by weather fluctuations on Aug. 9, urging caution in the coming days.