Moderate earthquake shakes Lebanon

Residents in Beirut and other areas felt a light tremor

The area is particularly vulnerable to major earthquakes

A moderate earthquake has struck Lebanon, causing buildings to shake and sending residents fleeing into the streets. The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 4.4, was centered 65 kilometers northwest of Tyre, according to the Lebanese National Geophysics Center.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, but the earthquake has raised concerns about the safety of older buildings in Lebanon, many of which have concrete frames that are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes.

Lebanon is located in a seismically active region, and earthquakes are not uncommon. However, the last major earthquake to hit the country was in 1956, when a magnitude 5.9 earthquake caused widespread damage and killed more than 100 people.

The earthquake comes at a time when Lebanon is already facing a number of challenges, including an ongoing political crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The earthquake is likely to further strain the country's resources and add to the anxiety of its citizens.