Earthquake strikes Czech-German border region

A moderate earthquake struck the border region between the Czech Republic and Germany in the early hours of Friday. The tremor, occurring shortly after midnight, was centered near Bělá nad Radbuzou in the Pilsen Region, approximately 10 kilometers from the German border.

Seismic data varies slightly by source: the Geophysical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences reported a magnitude of approximately 3.5 at a depth of 9 kilometers, while the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) recorded a magnitude of 3.3 at a depth of 16 kilometers. The earthquake was felt across several Czech towns, including Přimda, Tachov, and Domažlice, as well as in parts of the German Upper Palatinate, including Weiden and Eslarn.

Residents reported hearing loud noises described as cannon shots, heavy trucks, or deep rumbling. While the tremors caused significant alarm and woke many inhabitants, no immediate damage to buildings or injuries have been reported. This event is noted as one of the strongest felt in the Upper Palatinate region in recent years.