Magnitude 5 earthquake hits near Cairo

A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Egypt in the early hours of August 3, 2026, causing widespread alarm among residents in Cairo. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the tremor occurred at 03:00 local time, with an epicenter located approximately 100 kilometers east of Cairo and 41 kilometers northeast of Suez.

The Egyptian National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics reported that the quake was felt as far as Alexandria, situated roughly 200 kilometers northwest of the capital. Despite the intensity of the event, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and the Red Crescent have confirmed that there are no reports of casualties or significant material damage. Following the seismic activity, many citizens reportedly gathered in the streets in fear of potential aftershocks.

While Egypt is not typically prone to high-magnitude earthquakes, the country has experienced destructive seismic events in the past. The most lethal incident in modern Egyptian history occurred in October 1992, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Cairo, resulting in over 500 deaths and leaving thousands of people homeless. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, although no further threats have been officially identified at this stage.