Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

6.0-Magnitude Quake Strikes Off Algerian Coast

A general view shows an empty street after a curfew was imposed from 7pm-7am to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Algiers Reuters

A shallow 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Algerian coast on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake hit 20 kilometers north-east of the city of Bejaia at 1:04 am local time (0004 GMT), at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the US monitoring service.

Bejaia, which has a population of roughly 164,000, endured moderate shaking, USGS said.

The capital city Algiers also felt some light shaking.

In the aftermath of the 6.0-magnitude quake USGS reported two further quakes in the same area, of 5.2 and 4.7 magnitude respectively.

In Bejaia the General Directorate of Algerian Civil Protection reported some instances of panic as residents fled their homes, AFP reported.

They also said there was some damage, including cracks in the walls of residences as well as the partial collapse of an old unoccupied building.

There have been no reports yet of serious injuries or casualties.

Photographs shared on social media also appeared to show some damage, with interior walls fractured and images of crumbled walls.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.