Residents in Bahrain may have felt the ground shift slightly in the early hours of Monday morning. The Meteorological Directorate confirmed that a minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.3 struck the Kingdom at 2:58 AM local time on 1 December.
The epicentre was recorded at coordinates 26.07°N, 50.60°E, placing it somewhere in Bahrain’s territory, likely around the Riffa or East Riffa area, south or southeast of Manama.
While earthquakes of this magnitude are considered minor, some people may have noticed mild vibrations, particularly those living on higher floors or in quieter areas. The tremor would have felt similar to a heavy vehicle passing by. No injuries or structural damage have been reported.
What makes this event noteworthy is its rarity. Bahrain sits far from major seismic fault lines, making earthquakes originating within the Kingdom extremely uncommon. Most tremors felt locally tend to be echoes of larger earthquakes from southern Iran. Experts suggest this event was likely a shallow, isolated tremor caused by minor tectonic movement or possibly related to oil and gas extraction activity.
If you experience an earthquake or tremor in Bahrain, here’s what to do:
If you’re indoors: Drop, cover, and hold on. Get under a sturdy table or desk and protect your head and neck. Stay away from windows, mirrors, and heavy furniture that could topple over. Do not rush outside during shaking.
If you’re outdoors: Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines.
If you’re driving: Pull over safely, away from bridges, overpasses, and buildings. Stay inside your vehicle until the shaking stops.
After the tremor: Check yourself and others for injuries. Inspect your home for damage, particularly gas leaks or electrical issues. Stay informed through official channels like the Meteorological Directorate for updates.
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