An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale shook southeastern Romania yesterday afternoon, around 2:15 p.m. Yesterday's quake was centered in Vrancea, in the village of Nereju, 175 kilometers northeast of Bucharest on the eastern rim of the Carpathian Mountains.

The earthquake, whose epicenter was 145 kilometers deep in the earth's crust, lasted for about three minutes, experts said. However, it seemed to have lasted no more than a few seconds, as its intensity decreased very quickly.

The quake was felt in the cities of Bucharest, Braila, Galati, and Giurgiu. However, the director of the Seismic Warning Center, Adrian Ailenei, said the quake was forecasted on Monday when experts noticed a stronger seismic activity in the Vrancea region.

Ailenei also said people have no reason to worry, as the earthquake was not an unusual phenomenon. "The quake's intensity was mid-range. Such seismic activities happen almost daily, even though the intensity is not always that high," said Ailenei.

Geologist Doru Badescu said the quake was not related to the strong earthquake that shook Pakistan and Afghanistan yesterday.

Yesterday's shudder did not cause damage and no injuries were reported, according to the Center for Emergency Situations.