mangalore today

5.5-magnitude Bangladesh earthquake sends strong tremors across Kolkata; offices evacuated


Mangalore Today News Network

Kolkata, Feb 27, 2026: Tremors were felt across Kolkata and adjoining districts of West Bengal on Friday afternoon after an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter Scale struck parts of neighbouring Bangladesh, triggering panic among residents who rushed out of buildings and gathered in open spaces.

According to news agency PTI, the earthquake was recorded at around 1.22 pm, an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed.

Earthquake


The quake originated near Nayabazar in Bangladesh, located nearly 100 kilometres from Kolkata, and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres below the Earth’s surface.

The tremors lasted for nearly 10 seconds, enough to alarm residents across several parts of the city and nearby districts.

In a video shared on social media, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar was seen halting his speech as the earthquake struck.



Several residents took to X, reporting swaying ceiling fans, shaking furniture and vibrating windows, with the impact particularly noticeable in multi-storey structures.

Multiple videos circulating online showed people assembling on the streets shortly after the tremors.



Other visuals captured hanging objects and light fixtures swaying inside homes and workplaces, indicating the intensity of the tremor felt in parts of the city.

Another video showed an aquarium inside a house shaking as the tremors were felt.

Panic briefly gripped several key government offices, including the West Bengal state secretariat Nabanna, the Assembly House and the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, where employees moved out onto the streets and remained outside for some time in apprehension.

Similar scenes were witnessed in Salt Lake, the city’s major information technology hub, where employees evacuated office complexes following the tremors.

Residents of multi-storey residential buildings across Kolkata also rushed downstairs as the shaking was felt more prominently in high-rise structures.

Officials said there were no immediate reports of loss of life or damage to property following the earthquake.

Authorities continued to monitor the situation closely, while confirming that no aftershocks were immediately felt after the initial tremor.

The earthquake added to growing concerns over recent seismic activity in the eastern Himalayan region.

Neighbouring Sikkim has experienced a series of tremors this month, which have already caused anxiety among residents.

Earlier on Friday morning, Sikkim recorded a 3.7 magnitude earthquake at around 4.10 am. According to the National Centre for Seismology, the tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 5 kilometres near latitude 27.40 N and longitude 88.69 E.