A massive earthquake struck an Indian state, causing damage to buildings and roads at a time when the country is still reeling from the current Covid crisis.
According to reports online, the 6.2 magnitude quake struck the state of Assam in India's northeast on Wednesday, causing damage to buildings and road cracks.
"Assam is struck by a large earthquake. I pray for everyone's well-being and remind everyone to remain vigilant. Obtaining information from all districts, "Sarbananda Sonowal, the Chief Minister of Assam, said.
According to Reuters, authorities in the state are investigating fatalities, despite the fact that no official deaths have been recorded so far.
Witnesses have posted shocking videos of the earthquake's devastation on social media, capturing and describing the devastation.
"This earthquake was the most powerful I've ever experienced; there was a large jolt followed by a smaller one," a police official in the town told Reuters.
"We did not receive any distress calls, but people did flee their homes," says the official.
The natural disaster strikes as the world grapple with a deadly outbreak of coronavirus infections, with 360,960 new cases and 3293 new deaths recorded in the last 24 hours – a startling increase from the 223,000 new cases reported the day before.
Assam is a state with a population of over 31 million people.
Harm to buildings and facilities can be seen in early pictures.
Harm and injuries are being assessed by India's National Disaster Management Agency. There have been no cases of fatalities as of yet.
According to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the quake had a magnitude of 6.2.
The quake was measured at 6.0 magnitude by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and it struck at a depth of 34 kilometers with an epicenter near Dhekiajuli city, about 140 kilometers from Assam's capital.
In India's northeast, as well as Bhutan, strong tremors were felt. Hundreds of people fled their homes in Bhutan as the earthquake shook the area, according to a witness.
"Our entire multi-story apartment has suffered major damage, with roofs and walls collapsing," said Subham Hazarika, a businessman who lives in a high-end apartment in Guwahati.
"Fortunately, no one was hurt."
