5.5 Magnitude Earthquake in Syria Recalls Last Year’s Devastating Tremor

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Central Syria experienced a 5.5 magnitude earthquake late on Monday night, triggering locals’ memories of the devastating quake which hit northern Syria and Turkey last year, the Associated Press reports.

According to Syria’s National Center for Earthquakes, the 5.5 magnitude quake struck 28 kilometers east of the city of Hama at 11:56 p.m. local time, AP reports. The US Geological Survey said the quake had a depth of 10 kilometers.

The tremblor was reportedly felt in the north of neighboring Israel and in Beirut, the capital of neighboring Lebanon, as well.

Monday’s quake caused no major damage and there were no immediately reported deaths, AP reports. Hama Health Director Maher Younes told local media that 25 people suffered “minor and moderate injuries” as they fled for safety during the quake.

“In Beirut residents descended to the streets fearing a stronger quake that would collapse buildings,” AP reports. “In Lebanon, nerves were already on edge due to fears of an escalation in the ongoing conflict between the militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces that could pull the country into a full-on war,” AP noted in its report.

More than 59,000 people died when a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Syria and Turkey on February 6 last year.

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