The great Levantine coast earthquake, 811

On the tenth of Shaʿban 811 AH a great earthquake struck areas around Aleppo and Tripoli, near Latakia and Jabala and many other places. The fortress of Balatunus collapsed, and fifteen people died under the rubble. The town of Shaghr Bakas was entirely ruined along with its citadel, and all its people died except twenty ¹.

A town about a mile across was moved with its trees, buildings and people, and its people were not aware of it. Many places in Cyprus were damaged. Palm trees were seen on top of the bald mountain, though the sea had withdrawn and risen again ten leagues from it. People of the sea reported that ships on the salt sea reached the land when the sea receded, and then the water returned to its place ¹.