Slovakia: Magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurs in eastern Slovakia at about 20:23 Oct. 9

Event

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurred in eastern Slovakia at about 20:23 Oct. 9. The epicenter was about 15 km (10 miles) south-southeast of Stropkov. The tremor struck at the earth's surface with no appreciable depth. Moderate-to-strong shaking was reported across eastern Slovakia, with weak-to-moderate shaking reported further away from the epicenter in southeastern Poland, northeastern Hungary, northwestern Romania, and southwestern Ukraine. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, some light damage is possible in areas near the epicenter. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

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

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.