Strong earthquake strikes off the coast of Cyprus

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A powerful earthquake with an initial magnitude of 6.6 struck the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cyprus, and tremors were felt as far away as Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt, seismologists and residents said. Only a few details are currently available.

The quake, which occurred at 3:07 a.m. local time on Tuesday, was centered about 49 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of the city of Polis in Cyprus, or 62 kilometers (39 miles) northwest of Paphos and 115 kilometers (71 miles) north. West Limassol.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated a magnitude of 6.6 at a depth of 19 kilometers (12 miles), making it a very shallow earthquake. The European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) put the magnitude a little lower, at 6.5.

Details of damage or injuries were not immediately available, although one resident told BNO News of relatively minor damage to his home. The shaking was felt all over Cyprus and in countries along the Mediterranean, including Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt.

“I live on the second floor of an apartment building and it literally shook everything,” Linda Jones, of Mesa Chorio in Paphos, told BNO News. “I’ve never been afraid, [I’ve] Been here for nearly 20 years and this has been the strongest yet.”

A resident of central Paphos said there was rattling and shivering for about 10 seconds. Others on the island described the quake as lasting as long as 60 seconds in some places.

“I am in Paphos, and I could feel the earthquake very strongly,” Matthews Christo said. “[It] It lasted about 30-40 seconds and was one of the most intense for years. We always felt the tremors and everyone woke up shocked by what happened.”

If you felt the earthquake, let us know where you are and what you experienced by sending us an email: [email protected]

This is a breaking news alert. Please check back or follow @BNONews on Twitter when details become available. If you would like to receive breaking news alerts via email, click here to register. You can also like us on Facebook by clicking here.

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