An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.0-5.2 struck the Kagera Region in Tanzania at around 5:24 am on October 9, 2026. The tremors triggered panic among residents, causing them to flee their homes in fear of collapse. The earthquake was felt in several parts of the region, with residents describing the shaking as strong and frightening. Authorities reported no casualties at the time of publication.
Residents of Nyakibimbili Ward in Bukoba District recounted their terrifying experiences during the earthquake. Emerentiana Benjamin said her family woke up to the shaking and gathered in one place to pray for their safety. She described the earthquake as very strong, with the whole house shaking, making them fear for their lives. The tremors were so intense that they thought the house would collapse and bury them.
Other residents shared similar stories of fear and panic during the earthquake. Elia Ndyetabura said he was preparing to get out of bed when he felt the entire house shaking. He initially thought something heavy was moving across the roof due to the noise and rattling iron sheets. Joram Rwekaza was confused by the tremors, wondering if they were associated with the El Niño rains he had heard people discussing.
Grayson Rutta, a Bukoba resident, was startled when his bed began shaking as if someone was pushing it. He rushed outside, unsure of how strong the houses were. Bukoba District Commissioner Erasto Sima confirmed the earthquake during a morning program on Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), saying he had also felt the tremors at his home, where the house shook violently.
DC Sima reported that authorities had not received reports of damage but were collecting information from urban and rural areas to establish whether the earthquake had caused any harm. He described the shaking as unusually strong, even in his house, which was renovated about two years ago. Some residents had called to report shaking in their homes, while others said cupboard doors had opened due to the force of the tremors.
The district commissioner cautioned that it was too early to conclude that no damage had occurred, as the assessment was still underway. He urged residents to exercise caution, particularly those living in houses with cracks, dilapidated buildings, or structures whose construction or renovation had not been completed. He also warned against occupying poorly constructed or deteriorating buildings.
The earthquake in Kagera Region drew comparisons with a major tremor that struck the region about 10 years ago. On September 10, 2016, a devastating earthquake hit Kagera, causing deaths, injuries, and extensive damage to houses and infrastructure, particularly in Bukoba. Fortunately, no casualties had been reported from Friday's earthquake, as authorities continued to assess the situation across the region.
Key points
- The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.0-5.2 and struck at around 5:24 am on October 9, 2026.
- Residents described the shaking as strong and frightening, with some comparing it to a major tremor that struck the region about 10 years ago.
- Authorities reported no casualties at the time of publication, but were still assessing the situation across the region.
