Moldova

April 25: earthquake in Romania, felt in Moldova and Bulgaria

April 25, 2009

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An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 was recorded in eastern and central Romania on Saturday evening at 20:18. It was also felt in neighboring Moldova and northern Bulgaria.

The epicenter was in the Vrancea area, where a major fault line caused dozens of quakes in recent years. The magnitude in Bucharest is believed to be of 3-4 on the Richter scale, while in Moldova's capital, Chisinau, of around 2.5.

The quake lasted about 30 seconds. Mobile phone services in Romania have been interrupted for a short time.

Romania's Institute for Earth Physics said the quake struck at 8:25 p.m. in the Vrancea region, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) northeast of Bucharest at a depth of 75 miles (120 kilometers).

Institute director Gheorghe Marmureanu said it was felt in Bucharest, in the Black Sea port of Constanta, in the central city of Brasov, in the city of Iasi in northeast Romania, and at the port of Galati in easternmost Romania.

The earthquake caused some panic in many northern Bulgarian cities, sending scores of people on the streets. The earthquake was felt in Dobritch, Pleven, Belene, Svishtov, Kozloduy, Nikopol, Silistra, Veliko Tarnovo, among others. In the Black Sea city of Varna the shock was felt only slightly and only on higher floors.

No damage or injuries were reported.

Romania has more than 30 quakes a year with a magnitude of more than 3.