A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck the southern Israeli city of Eilat and the surrounding Arava region on Wednesday morning (November 11). According to the Geological Survey of Israel, the epicenter was located approximately 30 kilometers south of Eilat, near the Egyptian border town of Taba. The earthquake occurred at 11:24 a.m. Israeli time.
Immediately following the tremors, warning alerts from the Home Front Command were triggered in Eilat and several surrounding communities. Residents were urged to evacuate buildings and move to open areas.
At Ramon International Airport north of Eilat, the terminal was evacuated as a precautionary measure. All takeoffs and landings were temporarily suspended while technicians inspected the infrastructure for possible damage. An incoming aircraft operated by Israeli airline Arkia was initially forced to hold in the air.
After the completion of safety inspections, the Israel Airports Authority gave the all-clear. No damage was found, allowing flight operations to resume in full. Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv was not affected by the earthquake.
The Home Front Command also lifted its safety instructions. No reports of injuries or property damage were initially available.
The area around Eilat lies in a seismically active zone that is frequently affected by earthquakes. In November 1995, the region was struck by a severe earthquake measuring 7.3 in magnitude.
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