Earthquake Rattles Almaty, Kazakhstan, Yet No Injuries Reported
Last Updated on March 4, 2024 1:19 pm
In a seismic event that shook the city of Almaty on March 4th at 11:22 local time, the Department of Emergency Situations reported that 384 emergency points were activated after the tremor. Identified as “Emergency Reception Points” on the 2GIS map, these locations are now ready to respond to any urgent needs arising from the earthquake.
Responding swiftly to the situation, local law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts, operating in a heightened state of readiness. Additionally, all medical facilities and rapid response services have been bolstered to ensure an effective response in case of any emergencies. The seismic activity has prompted special attention to the safety of critical infrastructure, including the metro system.
Daulet Sarsembayev, the Director of the Seismology and Research Center, acknowledged the possibility of aftershocks during a press conference. He urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly until 4:00 PM on Monday when special attention is being given to specific locations in the city.
In response to the seismic activity, the Department of Education in Almaty has taken precautionary measures. Schools and colleges have suspended classes for the second shift on Monday, and parents have been advised to pick up their children from schools.
The Almaty metro has temporarily halted its operations for safety inspections. Officials have confirmed that experts are conducting thorough checks in the tunnels, and after obtaining approval from the Metro Administration, normal operations are expected to resume within three hours after the temporary shutdown.
Despite the earthquake registering a magnitude of 5 on the MSK-64 scale, no casualties or significant damage have been reported. The epicenter of the earthquake was located 31 kilometers from Almaty at a depth of 10 kilometers, with a magnitude of 6.1.
In a follow-up seismic event, the National Institute of Seismology reported an aftershock occurring at 12:54 from the southern-eastern part of Almaty, 255 kilometers away. This aftershock measured 2 on the seismic scale in Almaty.
While the seismic activity has put residents on high alert, authorities assure the public that the situation is under control, and no major incidents have been reported thus far.