Strong Tremors at Kolkata After 5.5 M Quake in Bangladesh; Later 6.1 Jolt in Myanmar Felt
Strong tremors jolted residents of Kolkata and several adjoining districts in West Bengal on Friday afternoon (February 27) after a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Bangladesh.
According to officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the quake struck around 1 pm at a depth of nearly 10 kilometres. The epicentre was traced to Nayabazar in Bangladesh, approximately 100 kilometres from Kolkata.
Though the tremors lasted for barely 10 seconds, they were powerful enough to spark panic across the city.
People rushed out of homes, offices and commercial establishments, gathering in open spaces amid fears of aftershocks. In many neighbourhoods, residents reported ceiling fans swaying, furniture shaking, and windows rattling.
The tremors were felt more intensely in high-rise buildings, where office people said the movement was clearly noticeable.
Authorities confirmed that there were no immediate reports of casualties or property damage following the afternoon quake.
Later in the evening, around 9 pm, fresh tremors were reported in parts of Kolkata and neighbouring areas. Officials indicated that these were linked to a stronger earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre located somewhere in Myanmar.
"We are verifying the details and working to pinpoint the exact location," an official said, adding that the tremors lasted only a few seconds.
No damage or injuries were immediately reported from this event either.
The back-to-back seismic activity has left residents uneasy, especially as similar tremors were recorded in other parts of the country earlier this year.
An earthquake struck North Delhi in January, followed by another on February 2, raising concerns over increasing seismic sensitivity in the region.
While Friday's quakes did not result in any reported harm, the incidents served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of densely populated urban centres to seismic events. Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant, and to follow safety protocols in the event of aftershocks.