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| A beach in Eilat |
The usual quiet and peaceful Israeli city of Eilat was suddenly shaken up after an earthquake struck the region, according to a statement released by the Geophysical Institute of Israel.
Eilat residents were awakened during their Saturday afternoon sleep, as a moderate earthquake shook the streets and buildings of the southern resort city. There were no reports of injuries or serious damage.
According to the Seismology Department of the Geophysical Institute of Israel, the earthquake measured 4.8 on the Richter scale. The Seismology department also determined that the epicenter of the quake was about 200 kilometers or 124 miles south of Eilat, in the Red Sea.
The quake struck the northern regions of Egypt, including the capital city Cairo. The earthquake caused no damage to buildings and no injuries have been reported in Egypt.
Geological experts said Saturday that the earthquake was caused by tectonic movements in the earth's crust under the Red Sea, a common occurrence in the area.