Egypt earthquake: 5.5-magnitude tremor hits near Sharm el-Sheikh, felt in Cairo
Synopsis
A 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted northeast of Sharm el-Sheikh at 3 am on 3 August, sending tremors rippling into Cairo. Egypt's health ministry activated its national emergency plan and raised hospital alert levels to maximum — all before a single injury was confirmed. The swift institutional response underscores how seriously Egypt treats seismic risk in a country straddling three active tectonic zones.
Key Takeaways
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck northeast of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt at approximately 3:00 am local time on 3 August .
The epicentre was at a depth of 10 km ; tremors were felt in Cairo and surrounding areas.
No casualties or property damage were reported by either the authorities or the Egyptian Red Crescent .
Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar activated the national health emergency plan and raised hospital alert levels to the highest.
Egypt lies near active tectonic zones around the Gulf of Suez , the Red Sea , and the Gulf of Aqaba , making it prone to moderate seismic events.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck northeast of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt at approximately 3:00 am local time on Monday, 3 August, according to Egypt's National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. The tremor was felt by residents across the region, including in the capital Cairo, though no casualties or property damage have been reported.
Earthquake Details
The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, with its epicentre recorded at 30.19 degrees north latitude and 32.61 degrees east longitude, placing it northeast of the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. The institute confirmed it had received reports that residents felt the tremor, noting there was 'without any loss of life or property.'
Government Response
Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, ordered the immediate activation of the country's health emergency plan following the quake. The ministry's central crisis and emergency operations room was convened without delay.
Hospitals nationwide raised their alert level to the highest in emergency and critical-care departments. Ambulances and rapid-response teams were placed on standby, and the ministry confirmed the health situation remained stable with no earthquake-related injuries reported.
Red Crescent Mobilises
The Egyptian Red Crescent activated emergency plans in cities where the earthquake was felt. The organisation confirmed it had received no reports of casualties or property damage as of the time of reporting.
Egypt's Seismic Vulnerability
Egypt sits close to several active tectonic zones, including those around the Gulf of Suez, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aqaba, making the country susceptible to periodic moderate seismic events. In the north, the country lies within the zone where the African Plate slides beneath the Eurasian Plate in the Mediterranean Sea, generating moderate to strong seismic activity. Historically, most such earthquakes in Egypt result in little to no structural damage, though authorities maintain emergency protocols given the country's seismic exposure.
As investigations continue, authorities have urged residents to remain calm while emergency teams stay on standby across affected areas.
Point of View
For now, have only been stress-tested by manageable tremors.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the earthquake in Egypt on 3 August occur?
The earthquake struck northeast of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt at approximately 3:00 am local time on 3 August. Its epicentre was recorded at a depth of 10 km, at 30.19 degrees north latitude and 32.61 degrees east longitude.
Was anyone injured in the Egypt earthquake?
No. Both Egypt's Ministry of Health and the Egyptian Red Crescent confirmed that no casualties or property damage were reported following the magnitude 5.5 quake. The health ministry described the situation as stable.
Why did Egypt activate a health emergency plan if there were no injuries?
Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar activated the emergency plan as a precautionary measure immediately after the quake. Egypt's protocol requires the highest-level hospital alert and deployment of ambulances and rapid-response teams any time a significant tremor is detected, regardless of initial damage reports.
Why does Egypt experience earthquakes?
Egypt sits near several active tectonic zones, including those around the Gulf of Suez, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aqaba. In the north, the African Plate slides beneath the Eurasian Plate in the Mediterranean, generating periodic moderate to strong seismic activity. Most earthquakes result in little to no damage, but the country remains seismically vulnerable.
How strong was the earthquake felt in Cairo?
Cairo residents and observers reported noticeable tremors from the magnitude 5.5 quake, though the capital is located well north of the epicentre near Sharm el-Sheikh. No structural damage or injuries were reported in Cairo.
