The first earthquake this year that was felt in Moldova occurred in Romania’s Vrancea at 12:24pm. The tremor measured 4.5 on the Richter scale.

Ion Ilies, head of the Experimental Seismology Center of the Chisinau Institute of Geology and Seismology, has told IPN that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 139 km. In Chisinau, this was felt at an intensity of up to 3 and lasted for up to two seconds.

Ion Ilies said the quakes of such a magnitude pose no threat to people or buildings. Most probably, only persons who weren’t moving felt it.

Press officer of the General Inspectorate for Emergencies Liliana Puscasu confirmed that the operational services reported no damage or emergencies following the tremor and that no related emergency calls were made.

As many as 16 earthquakes measuring over 4 on the Richter scale occurred last year.