Key Highlights
- Earthquake Magnitude:A 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck near Taba, Egypt.
- Airport Impact:Ramon Airport temporarily suspended operations for safety inspections.
- Safety Measures:IDF issued instructions for residents to move to open spaces.
EILAT, Israel — Flight operations at Ramon Airport were temporarily suspended on Wednesday after a 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck near Taba in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, shaking the surrounding Red Sea region and triggering immediate precautionary measures.
The Geological Survey of Israel reported that the epicenter was located roughly 30 kilometers south of Eilat near Taba at an estimated depth of 8 kilometers. The seismic event rattled nearby coastal communities, prompting the IDF Home Front Command to issue safety instructions directing residents and visitors to move away from structures and into open spaces.
Following the shock, the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) temporarily halted all departures and arrivals at Ramon Airport to allow engineering teams to inspect critical facility infrastructure and runways. The main passenger terminal was briefly evacuated, and incoming domestic flights—including an Arkia flight en route from Ben Gurion Airport—were placed in holding patterns while safety assessments were conducted.
No severe structural damage or injuries were reported at the airport or in the neighboring areas. Following comprehensive safety checks of the runways, control tower, and terminal, authorities declared the airport safe and resumed normal flight operations. Operations at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv remained entirely unaffected throughout the event.
Seismologists noted that while tremors of this magnitude rarely cause major destruction, the Gulf of Aqaba region sits along the Dead Sea Transform fault system, making it prone to periodic seismic activity. Local emergency services in Eilat remained on high alert throughout the afternoon, conducting routine checks across public infrastructure, residential buildings, and hotel strips along the coast to ensure structural integrity.
The temporary closure caused minor delays for several afternoon flights, but airport authorities worked quickly with airlines to clear the backlog. Travelers were advised to check updated flight schedules, though normal check-in and boarding procedures were fully restored within hours of the initial quake.
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