The earthquake occurred on Monday, November 18, 2025, and was felt in several parts of the country, including the City of Kigali.

According to the unit, an earthquake of this magnitude can cause windows to rattle and household items to shake, especially in buildings that are not structurally strong.

Generally, earthquakes measuring between 4.0 and 5.0 are considered light, but they can cause minor damage in areas close to the epicenter, including cracks in walls of buildings without a solid foundation.

Such an earthquake can also trigger landslides in hilly areas, and fragile items like plates and glassware may fall to the ground. People inside buildings may feel it as though a heavy vehicle is passing nearby.

Experts in earth science say the impact of an earthquake depends on various factors, including its epicenter, magnitude, the structural strength of infrastructure, and how long the tremor lasted.

The previous earthquake recorded in the country before this one had a magnitude of 4.2 and was felt on November 11, 2025, in the Western Province. Another occurred earlier on July 28, 2025, originating from Lake Tanganyika with a magnitude of 6.1.

On May 4, 2025, another quake of magnitude 5.4 struck from Lake Albert, followed minutes later by a 4.1-magnitude tremor.

One of the strongest earthquakes recorded in Rwanda's recent history occurred on March 20, 1966, with a magnitude of 6.6 one of the most powerful in more than a century.