site.btaQuake Centred in Romania Felt in Eastern Bulgaria

Quake Centred in Romania Felt in Eastern Bulgaria

Sofia, December 28 (BTA) - A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Romania's Vrancea region at 1:21 am Bulgarian time Wednesday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said. The epicentre occurred near the town of Focsani, 147 km north of Bucharest, at a depth of 98 km. Romanian seismologists reported the magnitude at 5.2.

BTA sources said the tremor woke up many people in the Danubian city of Rousse and was felt in Dobrich, Silistra, Shoumen, Sliven and many other Bulgarian settlements. Reportedly, it was felt in Moldova and in Western Turkey.

There are no reports of casualties or damage in Bulgaria.

Vrancea has long been known as a quake-prone region, with tremors felt across an expansive area. The latest major earthquake, magnitude 7.4 on the Richter scale, struck on March 4, 1977, killing hundreds of people in Romania and causing vast property damage in Bucharest. Bulgaria also sustained considerable damage. The quake hit worst the town of Svishtov where dozens of people were killed and many buildings collapsed.