One person was injured following the 5.6-magnitude earthquake that struck the Suez area and was felt across nearby governorates, including Cairo, the Egyptian Ministry of Health announced in a statement.
Health monitoring has recorded only one injury nationwide. The individual received the necessary medical treatment and was discharged after their condition improved, according to the Central Operations Room at the Ministry of Health and Population headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
The ministry said its Central Operations Room is working around the clock to monitor the impact of the earthquake across the country. It urged citizens to remain calm and follow official safety guidelines. The statement did not disclose the identity of the injured person or their place of residence.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Development and Environment reported the partial collapse of three old buildings in Cairo and Beheira Governorate.
In Cairo, parts of the walls of an old building on Ali El-Genainy Street in Rod El-Farag district collapsed. The ministry said the families living in the building were evacuated as a precaution, and executive authorities were instructed to expedite the necessary reinforcement and safety measures to secure the site and protect pedestrians and neighboring buildings.
The ministry added that a precautionary inspection was also carried out at another old building in El-Waily district. Authorities were instructed to promptly assess the building’s structural integrity and complete all required procedures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations to ensure public safety.
In Beheira Governorate, authorities received a report that parts of a balcony had collapsed at an old, unoccupied house in Hosh Eissa. The local council and relevant service agencies were notified, and the necessary measures were taken to secure the site. Monitoring will continue until all precautionary measures have been completed.
Minister of Local Development and Environment Dr. Manal Awad directed authorities to maintain the highest level of preparedness at all control centers and operations rooms, continue field monitoring, and ensure full coordination with governorates and relevant agencies. She also instructed officials to respond swiftly to any new developments while taking all necessary preventive measures to safeguard citizens.
Dr. Sherif El-Hadi, Head of the Seismology Department at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), told state-owned news agency “MENA” that the earthquake recorded by the National Seismic Network early Monday, measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale, occurred in the Gulf of Suez, a region known for its tectonic activity and active fault lines.
He said earthquakes occur when stress accumulates in rocks on either side of a fault before being suddenly released, generating seismic waves that are felt by residents.