- Kolkata experienced a magnitude 4.9 earthquake originating in Bangladesh
- People evacuated homes, offices, and schools amid fears for old buildings
- Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar paused during a public event as tremors were felt
The City of Joy panicked a bit today due to an earthquake of magnitude 4.9. People in Kolkata came running out of homes, offices and schools after the tremors of a 5.5 magnitude earthquake, that struck Bangladesh, were felt in the city, where old buildings stand in tight spaces.
Many ran out of apartment complexes and gathered in open areas.
People also shared screenshots on social media of an earthquake alert received on their mobile phones.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, who was addressing a gathering, was seen taking a pause as the Kolkata earthquake was felt at the venue.
A 63-year-old woman, who was seated on a rocking chair, reported seeing the chair sway on its own. She said the fan also moved despite being switched off.
"It continued for five minutes," she told NDTV.
However, the earthquake lasted for a few seconds. The elderly woman likely saw the objects move on their own momentum after the earthquake had ceased.
Earthquake Struck Bangladesh
An earthquake of 5.5 magnitude struck parts of Bangladesh, about 191 kilometres south west of capital Dhaka, according to India's National Center for Seismology, which tracks earthquakes.
It was felt at around 1.22 pm and was recorded at a depth of 10 km below Earth's surface.
The epicentre of the earthquake was reportedly Nayabazar in Bangladesh, some 100 kilometre from Kolkata.
There was no immediate report of any loss of life or damage to property.
