A powerful magnitude-5.5 earthquake initially reported on Thursday near the Czech-Slovak border was downgraded to a minor tremor after seismologists determined the alert was triggered by routine quarry work.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences first reported a magnitude-5.5 quake with an epicentre near Strašice, west of Prague, later attributing the error to its automated detection system. Experts subsequently revised the magnitude to 1.8, and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre confirmed a reading of similar magnitude at a shallow depth of roughly one kilometre. The GFZ said the seismic signature most likely originated from quarry blasting rather than tectonic activity.
Early reports, including from Italian media citing a magnitude-5.5 event felt across the Czech Republic and Slovakia, were published before the correction. No damage or injuries have been reported.