Earthquake of magnitude 4.8 hits Syria, Jordan and Lebanon

Quake has rekindled painful memories of deadly 2023 quake that devastated northern Syria and southern Turkey

The earthquake was felt in Damascus, Syria. Reuters

An earthquake measuring 4.8-magnitude struck Jordan and Syria late on Monday, said the German Research Centre for Geosciences, with people in Lebanon also feeling its impact.

The centre said the quake was at a depth of 10km. It had earlier reported the magnitude at 5.46 but revised it down minutes later.

Its epicentre was recorded as near the city of Hama, in west-central Syria, the state news agency reported.

Hama police chief Maj Gen Hussein Jumaa told state media there were no reports of injuries in the city.

Local authorities in Hama and surrounding government-held areas reported no damages, Syria’s state-run news agency Sana said.

In the country’s opposition-held north-west, the local civil defence agency known as the White Helmets also said there was no damage.

In Damascus and Beirut in neighbouring Lebanon, where the earthquake was also felt, residents sought refuge in the streets fearing a stronger quake that would collapse buildings.

People across Syria felt the quake, with those in the northern city of Azaz saying they had flashbacks to the deadly 2023 earthquake that killed thousands in northern Syria and southern Turkey.

Damascus resident Roba, 35, said the latest quake rekindled painful memories of last year's devastating quake. “We panicked and rushed out of the building,” said Roba, an accountant.

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“I was afraid that what happened during the last earthquake would happen again”, with buildings collapsing on sleeping people, she said. “We do not have the courage to go back to the 11th floor where we live.”

In Salamiya, a town about 30km east of Hama city, residents rushed out into the dark streets out of fear, said Nasser Duyub, a state employee.

“My son was sleeping, I don't know how I grabbed him and got out of the house,” Mr Duyub told Reuters.

People said a balcony collapsed and medics treated people who fainted.

Jordan's state news agency reported a 3.9-magnitude aftershock less than an hour after the initial quake.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said “some residents of Beirut” and other areas “felt a light earthquake at 11.56pm”.