Magnitude 5.6 quake hits Romania: USGS

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake has rattled eastern Romania, the US Geological Survey says.

Image of where the quake struck Source: earthquake.usgs.gov

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake has struck eastern Romania north of Bucharest, the U.S. Geological Survey says.

The quake struck at 2.11am local time. It was centred 149km north of Bucharest, and 66km northwest of the town of Buzau.

A magnitude 5.6 is considered a moderate quake that could inflict considerable damage but it was 91.25 km deep, which would dampen its effect.

Romania is not often hit by earthquakes.