24 Jan 2023 | 09:14 PM UTC
Mediterranean Sea: Magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurs south of Malta at around 21:25 CET Jan. 24
Magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurs in Mediterranean Sea, south of Malta, at 21:25 CET Jan. 24. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Event
A magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurred in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of Malta, at around 21:25 CET Jan. 24. The epicenter was about 105 km (65 miles) south of Zurrieq, Malta. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking may have been felt in parts of Malta and southern Sicily, Italy, as well as Tripoli, Libya. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.
Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible where shaking occurred.
Advice
Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.
