4.5 magnitude earthquake felt in Eilat; warning issued in area

In depth

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale was felt Wednesday morning in Eilat and the southern Arava. The epicenter was in the Gulf of Eilat, about 30 kilometers south of the city, at a depth of about 8 kilometers. The Geological Institute updated that the tremor occurred at 11:24.

The Home Front Command activated an alert through the national "Tar'a" system in the city of Eilat, in Elat, in the Shahoret industrial area and in the Arava area, in the communities of Be'er Ora, Elifaz and Timna Mines. Residents were asked to leave buildings and move to open areas. This is the first time in recent years that the Home Front Command has activated a real alert across Israeli territory over an earthquake.

At Ramon Airport, those present were evacuated from the buildings and departing flights were frozen for inspections. Minor damage was caused to windows at the airport, and a plane that was on its way to the airfield was told to wait. Later the Home Front Command announced that residents could return to buildings, and operations at the airport resumed. No casualties were reported.