Lebanon, Israel warned major quake imminent

Health officials in southern Lebanon and northern Israel have been warned to prepare for mass casualties from a major earthquake expected to hit the region.

There have been around 500 minor tremors in a three-month period from February to May, which have been increasing in frequency and intensity.

Mo’een Hamzeh, head of the Bhannes Centre for Seismic and Scientific Research, said on Monday that Lebanon could face an earthquake similar to the one that hit the nation in 1956.
That quake killed 136 people and destroyed 6,000 homes, mainly in the old city of Sidon (Saidon).

The starkest official warnings have come from Israeli health authorities, who say the quake could be stronger than the 1956 event, which measured five on the Richter scale.

“The probability of an earthquake of a magnitude of up to six on the Richter scale, originating in Lebanon and being felt in Israel has increased,” Israeli health ministry director-general Avi Yisraeli said in a statement to medical officials in northern Israel.

“Since February, abnormal seismic activity has been noted in southern Lebanon, which had suffered some 500 minor earthquakes in a three-month period. In May, the tremors have become more intense,” the statement said.

“Should an earthquake of such magnitude hit northern Israel, it may cause substantial infrastructural damage in the area. All medical facilities and organisations must do everything they can to enhance the level of readiness,” the ministry statement said.

Note: According to Israeli estimates. Such quake would cause some 100,000 casualities. Hoping this will not happen or if it happens to result in minimum casualities and damage.