Earthquake hits Southwest Sharm El Sheikh

An earthquake measuring 1.4 on the Richter scale occurred southwest of the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh this morning, stations of the national network for earthquake monitoring in Egypt reported today. The head of the National Institute for Astronomical and Geophysical Research Dr. Hatem Aouda said in a statement to the Middle East News Agency that the quake''s epicenter was located 25 kilometers southwest of of Sharm el-Sheikh at a distance of 350 kilometers of Helwan, the main centre of earthquake monitoring network. He explained that the quake was only felt by residents of the upper floors in the area, adding that the Institute has not received any information about loss of lives or material damage.