Quake jolts country

A strong earthquake struck neighbouring Myanmar and was felt in Bangladesh and across the region prompting thousands of panic-stricken people to rush to the streets on Wednesday night.
The 6.9 magnitude quake which originated about 420 kilometres from Dhaka was felt in Bangladesh at about 7:55pm, said the meteorological department.
No major causalities were reported in the highly populated capital until 10:15pm, said Fire Service and Civil Defence control room duty officer Atikul Alam Chowdhury.
The Dhaka Medical College Hospital emergency unit stated that at least four people received treatment for the injuries they sustained during the quake.
Of the injured, a pregnant woman, Nasrin Akhter of Matuail area, suffered bleeding and got admitted to the hospital.
The panic-gripped people left their houses and offices during the earthquake.
In Chittagong, at least six buildings, including a three-storey building on Jubelee Road, another building at Changaon, a warehouse of BS apparel factory at Sagarika and another building at Halishahar, tilted in the port city.
New Age correspondent in Chittagong reported that at least nine workers of Saad Musa apparel factory in Tannery Bottala area sustained injuries while rushing out of the factory.
A student of Chittagong University jumped from the first floor of multi-storey dormitory and was admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
New Age correspondent in Cox’s Bazar reported that cracks developed in three buildings in the district headquarters, and Ukhia and Moheskhali upazilas.
According to GEOFON Global Seismic Network, the tremor was estimated at magnitude of 7.2, while US Geological Survey reported a magnitude-6.9 earthquake in the area.
The US Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake with magnitude of 6.9 occurred near Monywa in Myanmar at 13:55:17.80UTC.
Residents in Myanmar’s main city of Yangon panicked after the quake struck, but authorities there said that there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Bangladesh ambassador Mohammad Sufiur Rahman told New Age over phone at about 8:30pm that there were no casualties of Bangladesh nationals in Myanmar so far.
About 250 Bangladesh nationals were staying in Myanmar and most of them left the country to celebrate Pahela Baishakh at home, he said.
A Bangladeshi expatriate in Yangon, Sulok Chowdhury, said that they felt the jolts thrice in their location but they were safe.
The Indian Express reported that the strong earthquake was felt in parts of eastern India but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Tremors were felt in parts of Kolkata, Guwahati, Patna, Bhubaneswar and Delhi.
Referring to a witness, news agency Reuters reported strong tremors in the eastern Indian city of Guwahati.
Tremors were also reportedly felt as far away Kolkata. Buildings have been evacuated in Kolkata.
Sirens could be heard blowing on some streets in the former capital of India, with people sounding alarm to alert residents of high-rises, India’s NDTV reported, citing witnesses.
There was no danger of a tsunami, NDTV said. People came out into the streets, fearing an aftershock, it added.
The earthquake was also felt in Nepal and Pakistan, news agencies reported.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net