A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck eastern Egypt early Monday, prompting emergency response plans to be activated, with no immediate reports of casualties.

The Red Crescent urged residents to avoid approaching old or damaged buildings as aftershocks and structural risks persist.

The tremor hit at about 03:00 local time, roughly 38 kilometers north of Suez and 120 kilometers east of Cairo, with a shallow depth around 10 kilometers per the national seismic authority.

Initial readings varied, with some agencies reporting as high as 5.9 and others downshifting to around 5.3, a common pattern as more data from multiple stations is analyzed.

Officials note magnitude revisions are normal as additional seismic data become available from monitoring networks.

The event comes amid a period of notable tremors globally, including recent activity in China, Japan, Pakistan, and Italy, raising regional preparedness.

Analysts emphasized that preparedness and clear communication matter more than panic, advocating public drills in schools, workplaces, and homes to reduce risk.

Authorities urged reliance on official government updates and ongoing infrastructure assessments across the region.

The quake’s shallow depth likely amplified shaking and underscored Egypt’s seismic network and preparedness infrastructure for rapid assessment.

NRIAG head reported several aftershocks, the strongest around magnitude 3, with five aftershocks documented so far.

Public safety guidance advised drop, cover, and hold on during shaking, avoiding elevators, and checking for gas leaks or structural hazards afterward.

Health authorities activated nationwide emergency response and ordered ambulance services to maximum readiness, with reports of at least one injury.