Earthquake in Balkan region, no casualties reported

Authorities are closely monitoring the Balkan region after a 5.4-magnitude earthquake near the Montenegro-Bosnia border, with teams in the field since early morning, no significant damages or casualties reported

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake hit the border region between Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina early Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The tremor occurred at around 4:06 a.m. local time, with its epicenter near the uninhabited areas close to the town of Niksic in Montenegro, approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) away, and near the Bosnian town of Bileca.

Despite its moderate strength, the earthquake caused no reported casualties or serious damage. Milena Tomanovic, from Montenegro’s Institute for Hydrology and Seismology, informed that after the main tremor, around 30 smaller quakes followed, with five ranging between magnitudes of three and 3.5.

The tremors were felt across a wide area, reaching as far as Serbia’s capital, Belgrade and the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, located over 200 kilometers from the epicenter.

In response to the quake, Bileca’s civil protection chief Veselin Vujovic stated, “We have been in the field since early morning. Luckily, we recorded no damage so far.” Additionally, schools in Bileca were closed as a precaution while authorities assessed potential damage.

Srdjan Cekvic, a seismologist with the Montenegro Geophysics Institute, highlighted that the epicenter was in a non-populated region. This factor, along with the quake’s depth of approximately 7.6 kilometers, likely contributed to the absence of significant damage or injuries.

The Balkans region is known for its high seismic activity. In April 2022, a 5.7-magnitude quake struck the same area, resulting in one fatality and several injuries in Stolac, Bosnia.

The region has witnessed several significant earthquakes in recent years, including a destructive 6.4-magnitude quake in central Croatia in 2020, which claimed seven lives and caused extensive damage.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and further assessments are underway to ensure the safety and preparedness of the affected regions.

Source: Newsroom