The Romanian capital Bucharest was hit by the strongest earthquake in 15 years on the morning of October 28, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale.
The quake did not cause any major structural damage, the earthquake, which struck at 3.38am, shook houses and apartment buildings, sending many people running out into the street.
The earthquake was also felt in Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine. A smaller aftershock occurred some two hours later.
“This earthquake was within the normal parameters for the Vrancea fault and we do not expect any further aftershocks,” said Constantin Ionescu, director of Romania’s National Seismology Institute.
A much-vaunted early warning system, Ro-Alert, has come in for fierce criticism in the hours following the earthquake.
Many of those in Bucharest who subscribe to the service were expecting to receive an alert 20 seconds or so before the quake – the epicenter of which was close to the city of Buzau – reached the capital: enough time to take shelter in a more secure location (such as under a sturdy table).
No warning was sent, however, Automatic systems which halt the supply of water and gas to parts of the city do appear to have functioned.
