A magnitude 4.5 earthquake was felt in various parts of Rwanda on Monday, including several neighborhoods in Kigali, according to reports from local residents and regional monitoring systems.
The tremor, which occurred at around 3:12 PM, was also felt in parts of Burundi and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Earthquakes with magnitudes between 4.0 and 5.0 are generally categorized as light, meaning they are unlikely to cause significant damage. However, experts note that such tremors can still shake buildings, rattle windows, and cause minor structural cracks especially in poorly constructed structures.
In some locations, residents described the sensation as similar to “a heavy truck passing nearby.”
Seismologists explain that the extent of damage from any earthquake depends on a combination of factors including its depth, magnitude, the local terrain, existing infrastructure, and the number of aftershocks.
The last earthquake felt in Rwanda occurred on 11 November 2025, registering 4.2 in magnitude and affecting parts of the Western Province.
Earlier this year, on 28 July 2025, a stronger tremor measuring 6.1 and originating from Lake Tanganyika was felt across the country. Rwanda also experienced a series of tremors on 4 May 2025, with magnitudes of 5.4 and 4.1 recorded minutes apart, the first originating from Lake Albert.
Historically, Rwanda’s most powerful earthquake occurred on 20 March 1966, measuring 6.6, and remains the strongest recorded in the region over the past century.
Although no major damages have been reported so far following today’s tremor, authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge residents to remain calm and follow safety guidelines in case of aftershocks.
