A 4.6-magnitude earthquake shook Romania’s Vrancea seismic zone on Sunday evening, prompting swift inspections by emergency authorities, though no injuries or property damage have been reported, according to preliminary assessments.
The quake occurred at 9:34 p.m. local time, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Management (IGSU) confirmed, and was registered at a depth of 140 kilometers. Its epicenter was located approximately 49 kilometers west of the city of Focșani, the administrative center of Vrancea County in eastern Romania.
The earthquake was felt mildly in nearby regions but did not result in panic among the local population. The state-run Agerpres news agency, citing IGSU, reported that emergency teams were promptly dispatched to assess the situation on the ground.
In coordination with local authorities, they conducted inspections in several localities to verify whether any buildings or infrastructure had been affected.
“At this moment, there are no reports of victims or material damage,” IGSU said in an official statement. “Our teams remain on alert and continue to monitor the area to ensure the safety of residents.”
Romania’s Vrancea region is the most seismically active area in the country and is known for deep-focus earthquakes that can be felt across large parts of Eastern Europe.
The tectonic activity in the region is closely monitored by the National Institute for Earth Physics (INFP), which confirmed the quake’s magnitude and depth shortly after it occurred.
Experts say that while the magnitude of Sunday’s quake was moderate, its depth significantly reduced the surface impact. “This type of deep earthquake tends to produce lower ground shaking at the surface, which likely contributed to the absence of damage,” explained Dr. Ioan Moldovan, a seismologist with the INFP.
Despite the lack of immediate consequences, authorities urged the public to remain vigilant and to follow standard safety protocols in case of aftershocks or future seismic events.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs reiterated the importance of emergency preparedness and encouraged citizens to familiarize themselves with evacuation procedures and safe zones in their homes and workplaces.
The Vrancea seismic zone has a long history of strong earthquakes. One of the most devastating in recent memory occurred in 1977, when a 7.4-magnitude quake killed over 1,500 people and caused widespread destruction, especially in the capital, Bucharest.
Since then, Romania has invested in improved seismic monitoring systems and emergency response capabilities.
Local authorities praised the efficiency of the emergency services and the rapid mobilization of resources in response to the incident. “Even though there were no casualties or damage, the quick reaction of the IGSU teams once again demonstrates the strength of our emergency preparedness system,” said Vrancea County Prefect Andrei Stoica.
As of Monday morning, seismologists had not recorded any significant aftershocks. Monitoring of the area continues, and any further developments will be communicated through official channels.
Residents are advised to stay informed through trusted sources and to report any structural anomalies or suspected damage to local authorities.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members