Bahrain Rattled by Rare 3.3-Magnitude Earthquake

A light earthquake measuring magnitude 3.3 struck the Kingdom of Bahrain early Monday morning, marking one of the rare instances of seismic activity originating within the country. According to the Meteorological Directorate, the tremor occurred at 23:58 UTC (2:58 AM local time) on 1 December 2025.

The quake’s epicentre was pinpointed at 26.07°N, 50.60°E, placing it well within Bahrain’s territory likely in the area south or southeast of Manama, near Riffa or East Riffa. In its official statement, the Meteorological Directorate confirmed: “An earthquake has occurred – Magnitude 3.3 mb, Date 01.12.2025, Origin Time 23:58 UTC, Location: Kingdom of Bahrain.”

No injuries or structural damage have been reported. With a magnitude of 3.3, the event is classified as minor, and while many residents may not have noticed it, those in high-rise buildings or quiet environments could have felt slight vibrations resembling the movement of a passing truck.

Earthquakes originating inside Bahrain are extremely uncommon, as the nation is situated far from active seismic fault lines. Historically, tremors felt in the kingdom have primarily resulted from stronger quakes occurring across the Gulf in southern Iran. Experts suggest that today’s event may have been a shallow, isolated tremor, potentially linked to minor tectonic shifts or subtle activity related to oil and gas extraction.

The event serves as a rare reminder of the region’s occasional but generally low-level seismicity.