4.8 magnitude earthquake shakes three countries

Late Monday night, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Jordan and Syria, with its tremors reverberating through Lebanon, causing widespread panic and minor injuries.

The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) initially estimated the earthquake at a magnitude of 5.46 but later revised it to 4.8, with the quake’s depth measured at 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). The epicenter was located east of Hama, according to Syria’s state news agency, SANA.

In Hama, Syria, Health Director Maher Younis reported that at least 25 people sustained minor to moderate injuries due to stampedes triggered by the quake. In Salamiya, a town approximately 30 km (18.5 miles) east of Hama city, residents were seen fleeing into the dark streets in sheer panic.

“My son was asleep, and I don’t know how I managed to grab him and get out of the house,” said Nasser Duyub, a local state employee, recounting the chaotic scene to Reuters. Witnesses also described a balcony collapse and ambulances attending to people who had fainted.

The earthquake rekindled haunting memories of the devastating 2023 disaster, when a 7.8 magnitude quake killed over 50,000 people, primarily in Turkey and northern Syria. “It was the same sound, as if it was coming from the earth,” recalled Umm Hamzah, a Damascus resident. “I felt dizzy just like last time, but the fear was greater because I remembered the previous quake.”

In the northern opposition-held areas of Syria, the civil defense deployed teams to respond to potential emergencies, although no reports of damage had been received at the time. The tremors were also felt in Lebanon, where recent regional tensions and Israeli airstrikes had some residents initially mistaking the earthquake for an airstrike.

Adding to the night’s anxiety, Jordan’s state news agency reported a 3.9 magnitude aftershock less than an hour after the initial quake.

As the affected regions grapple with the immediate aftermath, authorities continue to monitor the situation, urging residents to stay vigilant and prepared for any further seismic activity.