A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck the border region between Kosovo and North Macedonia late on Tuesday, seismological authorities said, with tremors felt across large parts of both countries and in northern Albania.
According to preliminary data from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) and regional seismic networks, the earthquake occurred at 10:09 p.m. local time, with the epicentre located in the Peskova area of North Macedonia and the Prizren–Shtërpcë zone in southeastern Kosovo, about 23 km east of the city of Prizren.
The hypocentral depth was shallow, estimated at around 5 km, increasing the intensity of shaking felt at the surface. The intensity was assessed at level VI on the Modified Mercalli scale, Kosovo’s Geological Service said.
The tremor was felt strongly in Pristina, Prizren, Tetovo and Skopje, as well as in parts of Kosovo, northwestern North Macedonia and the Kukës region of northern Albania.
Seismologist Shemsi Mustafa said the data were based on analyses from the Kosovo Seismological Network, the Kosovo Geological Service and the Euro-Mediterranean Seismic Centre.
“Based on numerical analysis of the seismic event, southeastern Kosovo was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 4.8 on the Richter scale,” Mustafa said, adding that the quake had the potential to cause public concern and light material damage due to its strength and shallow depth.
Authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant material damage.
Mustafa noted that the event confirms scientific assessments identifying the Prizren seismogenic zone as active, in line with calculations and studies included in Kosovo’s Seismic Hazard Map.
Officials said monitoring of the area was continuing.