An earthquake measuring 3.0 on the Richter scale struck the Tetovo-Gostivar region overnight at 00:06. The tremor caused alarm among local residents, but so far there are no reported damages.

Quakes of this magnitude are more frequent than we think and usually pass without consequences - but when they hit in the middle of the night, their effect on people is greater than what the scale shows. Jolted from sleep, many went outdoors, which is a natural reaction.

The Tetovo-Gostivar region is no stranger to seismic activity, and the whole country sits on a quake-prone area - a fact we forget all too easily while the ground stays still. Every tremor like this is a reminder that earthquake readiness is not something you sort out after the event, but before it.

Fortunately, this time it stayed at alarm. But the question every tremor like this leaves open is whether we are ready for a stronger one - whether the buildings, schools and hospitals would withstand something more serious than 3 on the scale. Because nature does not send invitations in advance, and the only thing we can control is how prepared we are when it comes.