A Day in History: The Dead Sea Earthquake

One of the most significant earthquakes to hit Israel in recent centuries occurred on the 11th of Tammuz, 5687 (July 11th, 1927). The epicenter was in the northern Dead Sea area, yet the tremors were felt as far as Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramla, Nablus, and even Tiberias. The earthquake tragically took the lives of about 500 people, with another 700 to 1,000 injured.

In Jerusalem, the quake's impact was notably severe. Over 130 fatalities were reported in the city, alongside roughly 450 injuries. Approximately 300 homes either collapsed or sustained extensive damage rendering them uninhabitable. The residence of the British High Commissioner was damaged, as were buildings in the Mount of Olives and the Old City, the Hebrew University buildings on Mount Scopus, and even the Hurva Synagogue.

Other cities also suffered destruction. In Jericho, several houses and new hotels fell. The Allenby Bridge collapsed, cliffs along the Jordan River gave way, blocking the river's flow, and massive damage was observed in other areas too.