On Tuesday morning, an earthquake of 6.6 magnitudes struck off the west coast of Cyprus, according to the preliminary information shared by US Geological Survey. For now, there are no immediate reports of damage and causalities.
A strong quake was suddenly felt by the area residents centred 48 kilometres (30 miles) west-northwest of Polis on the Mediterranean island at 0107 GMT, informed USGS.
The quake was such strong that it was felt across Cyprus and around Turkey, Israel and Lebanon. As per the primary examination by the Geological Survey, there were no damage and causalities reported.
Many people rushed out from their houses in the stress as the earthquake resulted in the shaking of the buildings. Reportedly, a resident of Cyprus’ capital Nicosia said, “I was petrified as it was of high intensity and the buildings were shaking endlessly. I thought it would never end.”
While another 61-year-old teacher said, “We were asleep when the earthquake struck the country. We wake up frightened, and it really went on for a long time.”
The earthquake was measured at 6.5 magnitudes, at a depth of 51 kilometres, as per the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. In contrast, the US Geological Survey department said that the quake measured at 6.6 magnitudes at a depth of 19.6 kilometres.
Cyprus is the second earthquake-prone zone, yet quakes of this intensity are not expected in the country.
Before this, the biggest quake reported was, in recent years, in 1996. The earthquake measured at 6.8. Nearly two residents of Paphos, along with the west coast were succumbed to the quake.
Earlier in 1953, the region witnessed a quake of 6.3 magnitudes. It caused massive destruction as it destroyed hundreds of homes and killed as many as 40 people. Of these, most were from the Paphos.