Kolkata Shaken: 5.5 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Bangladesh, Tremors Felt in West Bengal
Earthquake Shakes Kolkata and Surrounding Areas
Kolkata: On Friday afternoon, residents of Kolkata and nearby districts experienced tremors following a 5.5 magnitude earthquake that originated in Bangladesh, according to officials.
The seismic activity was recorded at approximately 1:22 PM, as reported by an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface.
The epicenter was identified near Nayabazar in Bangladesh, located about 100 kilometers from Kolkata.
Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or property damage, another official confirmed.
The tremors lasted roughly 10 seconds, causing a rush of people in Kolkata to flee their buildings and seek safety in open areas.
No aftershocks were reported following the initial quake.
Panic ensued among government employees at the state secretariat, Nabanna, as well as at the assembly house and the Chief Electoral Officer's office, with many remaining outside in fear of potential aftershocks.
Similar scenes unfolded in the IT hub of Salt Lake and various multi-storey residential complexes across Kolkata.