Families bury loved ones as Pakistan quake toll climbs; rescue operations underway

Rescue workers battled on Wednesday to reach people affected by a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/quake-kills-22-flattens-buildings-in-pakistani-kashmir-251815">shallow earthquake</a> that rocked northeast Pakistan yesterday, killing at least 22 people and injuring hundreds more as it tore roads apart and destroyed buildings.

Schools were shut near the quake-hit city of Mirpur in Pakistan occupied&nbsp;Kashmir where poor areas were reduced to rubble and the towering brick fences surrounding expensive homes had crumbled.&nbsp;

Residents combed through the wreckage and assessed the damage inflicted on their homes, with large cracks defacing the walls in the houses that still stood.&nbsp;

"I lost my house. I lost everything," said Abdullah Khan, whose three-bedroom home in Jatlan village on the outskirts of Mirpur was flattened by the quake.&nbsp;

The Pakistan military continued to lead search and rescue operations as day broke with fears growing that the death toll may jump again.&nbsp;

"Damage assessment based on aerial and initial physical survey done -&nbsp;22 people lost life including an army soldier," the military's information wing said late Tuesday.&nbsp;

Rain continued to inundate the area after overnight showers turned already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/one-dead-several-injured-in-58-magnitude-quake-near-jhelum-pakistan-government-official-251783">damaged roads</a> into muddy thoroughfares where livestock roamed freely.

Roads Destroyed

Mirpur, a city known for its palatial houses, has strong ties to Britain with the majority of its 450,000 residents carrying both British and Pakistani passports.

Rescue operations continued through the night in the area as local hospitals swelled with many patients suffering from multiple fractures.

"I was going to see a friend when the entire area shook with a bang and a huge wall crumbled over me. When I regained my senses I found myself here in this bed," Ali Badshah, a fifth-grade student, told AFP from a hospital in Mirpur where he was being treated for a broken leg.&nbsp;

Near Mirpur, roads were completely destroyed and vehicles overturned by the tremors while bridges, mobile phone towers, and electricity poles were also badly damaged in the melee.&nbsp;

The quake sent people in Lahore and Islamabad running into the streets, while tremors were also felt as far as New Delhi.&nbsp;

The Press Trust of India reported that panicking people rushed out of their homes and offices in several places, including in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.

Pakistan straddles a part of the boundary where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making the country susceptible to earthquakes.

The country was also hit by a 7.6-magnitude quake on October 8, 2005, that killed more than 73,000 people and left about 3.5 million homeless, mainly in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Rescue workers battled on Wednesday to reach people affected by a shallow earthquake that rocked northeast Pakistan yesterday, killing at least 22 people and injuring hundreds more as it tore roads apart and destroyed buildings.

Rescue workers battled on Wednesday to reach people affected by a shallow earthquake that rocked northeast Pakistan yesterday, killing at least 22 people and injuring hundreds more as it tore roads apart and destroyed buildings. Schools were shut near the quake-hit city of Mirpur in Pakistan occupied Kashmir where poor areas were reduced to rubble and the towering brick fences surrounding expensive homes had crumbled. Residents combed through the wreckage and assessed the damage inflicted on their homes, with large cracks defacing the walls in the houses that still stood. "I lost my house. I lost everything," said Abdullah Khan, whose three-bedroom home in Jatlan village on the outskirts of Mirpur was flattened by the quake. The Pakistan military continued to lead search and rescue operations as day broke with fears growing that the death toll may jump again. "Damage assessment based on aerial and initial physical survey done - 22 people lost life including an army soldier," the military's information wing said late Tuesday. Rain continued to inundate the area after overnight showers turned already damaged roads into muddy thoroughfares where livestock roamed freely. Roads Destroyed Mirpur, a city known for its palatial houses, has strong ties to Britain with the majority of its 450,000 residents carrying both British and Pakistani passports. Rescue operations continued through the night in the area as local hospitals swelled with many patients suffering from multiple fractures. "I was going to see a friend when the entire area shook with a bang and a huge wall crumbled over me. When I regained my senses I found myself here in this bed," Ali Badshah, a fifth-grade student, told AFP from a hospital in Mirpur where he was being treated for a broken leg. Near Mirpur, roads were completely destroyed and vehicles overturned by the tremors while bridges, mobile phone towers, and electricity poles were also badly damaged in the melee. The quake sent people in Lahore and Islamabad running into the streets, while tremors were also felt as far as New Delhi. The Press Trust of India reported that panicking people rushed out of their homes and offices in several places, including in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. Pakistan straddles a part of the boundary where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making the country susceptible to earthquakes. The country was also hit by a 7.6-magnitude quake on October 8, 2005, that killed more than 73,000 people and left about 3.5 million homeless, mainly in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Death toll in Pakistan earthquake climbs to 22 as rescuers assess damage

&nbsp;The death toll from an earthquake that struck Pakistani Kashmir jumped to 37, officials said on Wednesday, as families mourned relatives and rescue teams sent supplies to the area.

Officials said the extent of the casualties, who included young children, emerged a day after the 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck as authorities were able to reach towns and villages around the region outside main population centres.

"We had dispatched survey teams in the entire area affected by the earthquake to collect details of the victims," Muhammad Tayyab, divisional commissioner for Mirpur, one of the worst affected areas, told Reuters, adding that around 500 people had been injured.

Tuesday's earthquake levelled homes and shops and split open roads in an area between the towns of Jhelum and Mirpur to the north, part of which is in Pakistan's portion of the disputed territory of Kashmir.

"The situation is slowly returning to normal, the level of panic is now less among the people, although an aftershock was felt at night," said Sardar Gulfaraz Khan, a police deputy inspector general.

Most of the damage happened in villages where old houses collapsed, Khan said.

In a town in Mirpur district, more than 200 people gathered to attend the funeral of a 1-1/2-year-old child who was killed in the earthquake. Women wailed around the bed where the boy's body lay covered in a blanket.

Another child in the town was buried the same morning after a wall collapsed on her.

"All of sudden I received a call from my father that there was an earthquake and my little sister is badly injured," her brother Mohammad Hameed said. "She was injured and (now) she has left us."

Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had earlier said 25 people had been killed and that most of casualties were in Pakistani Kashmir.

Many people from the area slept outdoors overnight and some were returning home on Wednesday to collect belongings and inspect damage.

Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal, the NDMA's chief, said the authority would bring in 200 family-sized tents for temporary shelters, kitchen sets, blankets and 50,000 bottles of water.

Troops and other emergency responders carried out rescue operations through the night, with engineers starting repairs on a key road that was severely damaged, the Pakistan Army's communications arm said.

Afzal said the road would reopen by Thursday evening. Three bridges were also damaged.

The earthquake disrupted power to the region, but it had been restored by midday on Wednesday, NDMA said.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a tweet, offered condolences to families of the victims and said he had directed the government to quickly offer relief and assess damage.

Kashmir has been in dispute between India and Pakistan since the two countries were carved out of British colonial India in 1947, and has been the cause of two wars between them.

The death toll from an earthquake that struck Pakistani Kashmir jumped to 37, officials said on Wednesday, as families mourned relatives and rescue teams sent supplies to the area.

The death toll from an earthquake that struck Pakistani Kashmir jumped to 37, officials said on Wednesday, as families mourned relatives and rescue teams sent supplies to the area. Officials said the extent of the casualties, who included young children, emerged a day after the 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck as authorities were able to reach towns and villages around the region outside main population centres. "We had dispatched survey teams in the entire area affected by the earthquake to collect details of the victims," Muhammad Tayyab, divisional commissioner for Mirpur, one of the worst affected areas, told Reuters, adding that around 500 people had been injured. Tuesday's earthquake levelled homes and shops and split open roads in an area between the towns of Jhelum and Mirpur to the north, part of which is in Pakistan's portion of the disputed territory of Kashmir. "The situation is slowly returning to normal, the level of panic is now less among the people, although an aftershock was felt at night," said Sardar Gulfaraz Khan, a police deputy inspector general. Most of the damage happened in villages where old houses collapsed, Khan said. In a town in Mirpur district, more than 200 people gathered to attend the funeral of a 1-1/2-year-old child who was killed in the earthquake. Women wailed around the bed where the boy's body lay covered in a blanket. Another child in the town was buried the same morning after a wall collapsed on her. "All of sudden I received a call from my father that there was an earthquake and my little sister is badly injured," her brother Mohammad Hameed said. "She was injured and (now) she has left us." Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had earlier said 25 people had been killed and that most of casualties were in Pakistani Kashmir. Many people from the area slept outdoors overnight and some were returning home on Wednesday to collect belongings and inspect damage. Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal, the NDMA's chief, said the authority would bring in 200 family-sized tents for temporary shelters, kitchen sets, blankets and 50,000 bottles of water. Troops and other emergency responders carried out rescue operations through the night, with engineers starting repairs on a key road that was severely damaged, the Pakistan Army's communications arm said. Afzal said the road would reopen by Thursday evening. Three bridges were also damaged. The earthquake disrupted power to the region, but it had been restored by midday on Wednesday, NDMA said. Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a tweet, offered condolences to families of the victims and said he had directed the government to quickly offer relief and assess damage. Kashmir has been in dispute between India and Pakistan since the two countries were carved out of British colonial India in 1947, and has been the cause of two wars between them.

Death toll rises to 37 in Pakistan earthquake, as families bury loved ones

An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 shook northern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring 100, government and police officials said.

Media photos and video showed a collapsed building and cracks in roads large enough to swallow cars in Mirpur, a town in Pakistan.

District commissioner Mohammad Tayyab said eight people were killed, including three children. District police chief Irfan Saleem said more than 100 more suffered injuries.

"I am in the hospital right now and I am being told that several of the injured people are in a critical condition," he told Reuters by phone.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, a spokesman for the Pakistan Armed Forces, tweeted that army troops with aviation and medical support teams were dispatched.

The quake struck 14 miles (23 km) north of Jhelum, Pakistan, at a relatively shallow depth of 10 km, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

Most damage was in an area between Jhelum and Mirpur, said the chief of Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority, Lieutenant General Mohammad Afzal.

Jhelum is located in northeastern Pakistan roughly 120 km southeast of Islamabad.

An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 shook northern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring 100, government and police officials said. Media photos and video showed a collapsed building and cracks in roads large enough to swallow cars in Mirpur, a town in Pakistan.

An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 shook northern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring 100, government and police officials said. Media photos and video showed a collapsed building and cracks in roads large enough to swallow cars in Mirpur, a town in Pakistan. District commissioner Mohammad Tayyab said eight people were killed, including three children. District police chief Irfan Saleem said more than 100 more suffered injuries. "I am in the hospital right now and I am being told that several of the injured people are in a critical condition," he told Reuters by phone. Major General Asif Ghafoor, a spokesman for the Pakistan Armed Forces, tweeted that army troops with aviation and medical support teams were dispatched. The quake struck 14 miles (23 km) north of Jhelum, Pakistan, at a relatively shallow depth of 10 km, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported. Most damage was in an area between Jhelum and Mirpur, said the chief of Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority, Lieutenant General Mohammad Afzal. Jhelum is located in northeastern Pakistan roughly 120 km southeast of Islamabad.

Eight dead, 100 hurt in 5.8 magnitude Pakistan quake

At least 19 people have been killed and 300 wounded after a shallow earthquake rattled north-eastern Pakistan, a senior police officer said, with the tremor tearing car-sized cracks into roads and heavily damaging infrastructure.

The quake sent people in cities across the country running into the streets, as cars near the epicentre were wedged in between massive cracks that ripped apart roads while other vehicles were upended by the tremor.

The epicentre of the 5.2-magnitude quake was near the city of Mirpur, roughly 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Jhelum in agricultural Punjab province, according to data released by the US Geological Survey.

On one of the district's two main roads, AFP reporters could see cracks at least four feet deep, some filling with water from a nearby canal.

Ambulances could be seen, but Pakistani troops were preventing further travel. The military deployed "aviation and medical support" teams along with troops to affected areas, according to its spokesman.

Television footage showed cars trapped in some of the cracks, as well as a bus and a truck lying on their sides at the road's edge.

"At least 19 people have been killed and more than 300 wounded," said Sardar Gulfaraz, deputy inspector general of police in Mirpur, in televised comments.

However, the chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority gave a lower toll at a press conference in Islamabad.&nbsp;

"I can confirm 10 deaths and the number of wounded is 100," chairman Lieutenant General Mohammad Afzal said, adding that he had received reports of a higher toll.

"Things are under control," he said, adding that the nearby Mangla Dam, one of Pakistan's two main water reservoirs, was unaffected by the quake.

Roads, mobile phone towers, and electricity poles in the area were badly damaged, Naeem Chughtai, a Mirpur resident living near the city's main hospital, told AFP.

Witnesses Sajjad Jarral and Qazi Tahir, who spoke to AFP by telephone from Mirpur, said the quake had caused a building to collapse.

'So anxious'

Mirpur, a city known for its palatial houses, has strong ties to Britain with the majority of its 450,000 residents carrying both British and Pakistani passports.

A spokeswoman at the British High Commission told AFP they were monitoring the reports, while the US embassy offered its sympathies to those affected via Twitter.

Tremors were felt as far as New Delhi, with the Press Trust of India reporting that panicked people rushed out of their homes and offices in several places, including in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.

In October 2015, a 7.5-magnitude quake in Pakistan and Afghanistan killed almost 400 people, flattening buildings in rugged terrain that impeded relief efforts.

At least 19 people have been killed and 300 wounded after a shallow earthquake rattled north-eastern Pakistan, a senior police officer said, with the tremor tearing car-sized cracks into roads and heavily damaging infrastructure.

At least 19 people have been killed and 300 wounded after a shallow earthquake rattled north-eastern Pakistan, a senior police officer said, with the tremor tearing car-sized cracks into roads and heavily damaging infrastructure. The quake sent people in cities across the country running into the streets, as cars near the epicentre were wedged in between massive cracks that ripped apart roads while other vehicles were upended by the tremor. The epicentre of the 5.2-magnitude quake was near the city of Mirpur, roughly 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Jhelum in agricultural Punjab province, according to data released by the US Geological Survey. On one of the district's two main roads, AFP reporters could see cracks at least four feet deep, some filling with water from a nearby canal. Ambulances could be seen, but Pakistani troops were preventing further travel. The military deployed "aviation and medical support" teams along with troops to affected areas, according to its spokesman. Television footage showed cars trapped in some of the cracks, as well as a bus and a truck lying on their sides at the road's edge. "At least 19 people have been killed and more than 300 wounded," said Sardar Gulfaraz, deputy inspector general of police in Mirpur, in televised comments. However, the chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority gave a lower toll at a press conference in Islamabad. "I can confirm 10 deaths and the number of wounded is 100," chairman Lieutenant General Mohammad Afzal said, adding that he had received reports of a higher toll. "Things are under control," he said, adding that the nearby Mangla Dam, one of Pakistan's two main water reservoirs, was unaffected by the quake. Roads, mobile phone towers, and electricity poles in the area were badly damaged, Naeem Chughtai, a Mirpur resident living near the city's main hospital, told AFP. Witnesses Sajjad Jarral and Qazi Tahir, who spoke to AFP by telephone from Mirpur, said the quake had caused a building to collapse. 'So anxious' Mirpur, a city known for its palatial houses, has strong ties to Britain with the majority of its 450,000 residents carrying both British and Pakistani passports. A spokeswoman at the British High Commission told AFP they were monitoring the reports, while the US embassy offered its sympathies to those affected via Twitter. Tremors were felt as far as New Delhi, with the Press Trust of India reporting that panicked people rushed out of their homes and offices in several places, including in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. In October 2015, a 7.5-magnitude quake in Pakistan and Afghanistan killed almost 400 people, flattening buildings in rugged terrain that impeded relief efforts.

19 killed, dozens wounded as Pakistan jolted by shallow 5.2 quake

Two consecutive earthquakes hit Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on Monday afternoon.

An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale hit Jammu and Kashmir and Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh at 12:10 pm.

"Earthquake of Magnitude:5.0, Occurred on 09-09-2019, 12:10:31 IST, Lat:32.9 N &amp; Long: 76.1 E, Depth: 5 Km, Region: Jammu and Kashmir- Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) Border Region," IMD tweeted.

Half an hour later, another earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 on the Richter scale hit the same region again at 12:40 pm."Earthquake of Magnitude:3.2, Occurred on 09-09-2019, 12:40:16 IST, Lat:32.9 N &amp; Long: 76.0 E, Depth: 5 Km, Region: Jammu and Kashmir- Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) Border Region," IMD tweeted. 
 
&nbsp;

Two consecutive earthquakes hit Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on Monday afternoon. An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale hit Jammu and Kashmir and Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh at 12:10 pm.

Two consecutive earthquakes hit Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on Monday afternoon. An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale hit Jammu and Kashmir and Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh at 12:10 pm. "Earthquake of Magnitude:5.0, Occurred on 09-09-2019, 12:10:31 IST, Lat:32.9 N & Long: 76.1 E, Depth: 5 Km, Region: Jammu and Kashmir- Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) Border Region," IMD tweeted. Half an hour later, another earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 on the Richter scale hit the same region again at 12:40 pm."Earthquake of Magnitude:3.2, Occurred on 09-09-2019, 12:40:16 IST, Lat:32.9 N & Long: 76.0 E, Depth: 5 Km, Region: Jammu and Kashmir- Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) Border Region," IMD tweeted.

Earthquake jolts J-K, Himachal''s Chamba region

Two consecutive earthquakes hit Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on Monday afternoon.

An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale hit Jammu and Kashmir and Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh at 12:10 pm.

"Earthquake of Magnitude:5.0, Occurred on 09-09-2019, 12:10:31 IST, Lat:32.9 N &amp; Long: 76.1 E, Depth: 5 Km, Region: Jammu and Kashmir- Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) Border Region," IMD tweeted.

Half an hour later, another earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 on the Richter scale hit the same region again at 12:40 pm.

"Earthquake of Magnitude:3.2, Occurred on 09-09-2019, 12:40:16 IST, Lat:32.9 N &amp; Long: 76.0 E, Depth: 5 Km, Region: Jammu and Kashmir- Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) Border Region," IMD tweeted.

Two consecutive earthquakes hit Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on Monday afternoon. An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale hit Jammu and Kashmir and Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh at 12:10 pm. "Earthquake of Magnitude:5.0, Occurred on 09-09-2019, 12:10:31 IST, Lat:32.9 N & Long: 76.1 E, Depth: 5 Km, Region: Jammu and Kashmir- Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) Border Region," IMD tweeted. Half an hour later, another earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 on the Richter scale hit the same region again at 12:40 pm. "Earthquake of Magnitude:3.2, Occurred on 09-09-2019, 12:40:16 IST, Lat:32.9 N & Long: 76.0 E, Depth: 5 Km, Region: Jammu and Kashmir- Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) Border Region," IMD tweeted.

Earthquake of 5.0 magnitude jolts J&K, Himachal's Chamba region

An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck the eastern region of Myanmar on Monday morning, which caused tremors in Nagaland.

The quake in Myanmar took place at around 8:19 am at a depth of 80 km, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

No casualty or damage to property was reported.

Tremors measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale were felt in Nagaland.

The quake occurred at around 8:20 am, 132 km east of Tuensang in Nagaland, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

Nagaland is prone to earthquakes.

An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck the eastern region of Myanmar on Monday morning, which caused tremors in Nagaland. The quake in Myanmar took place at around 8:19 am at a depth of 80 km, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck the eastern region of Myanmar on Monday morning, which caused tremors in Nagaland. The quake in Myanmar took place at around 8:19 am at a depth of 80 km, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). No casualty or damage to property was reported. Tremors measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale were felt in Nagaland. The quake occurred at around 8:20 am, 132 km east of Tuensang in Nagaland, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). Nagaland is prone to earthquakes.

Earthquake hits eastern Myanmar, tremors felt in Nagaland

In order to prevent any future crisis, Peru conducts massive earthquake drill. Watch video to know more.

Peru conducts massive earthquake drill

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on Richter Scale struck off Jorm village in Badakhshan province in north-eastern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/taliban-could-give-pakistan-a-short-term-win-in-afghanistan-243138">Afghanistan</a> early Friday morning.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake occurred around 02:09 (UTC).&nbsp;

The epicentre was located at a depth of 210.3 kilometres southwest of Jorm, along the Hindu Kush region.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property as a result of the quake.

Last week the region was rattled by an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter Scale with its epicentre located 17 kilometres east of Farkhar, a province located in the northeast of the mountainous country close to the border with Tajikistan.

According to the India Meteorological Department, mild tremors of the earthquake were also felt in the Delhi-NCR region on the same day.

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on Richter Scale struck off Jorm village in Badakhshan province in north-eastern Afghanistan early Friday morning. According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake occurred around 02:09 (UTC).

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on Richter Scale struck off Jorm village in Badakhshan province in north-eastern Afghanistan early Friday morning. According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake occurred around 02:09 (UTC). The epicentre was located at a depth of 210.3 kilometres southwest of Jorm, along the Hindu Kush region. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property as a result of the quake. Last week the region was rattled by an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter Scale with its epicentre located 17 kilometres east of Farkhar, a province located in the northeast of the mountainous country close to the border with Tajikistan. According to the India Meteorological Department, mild tremors of the earthquake were also felt in the Delhi-NCR region on the same day.

5.2 magnitude quake hits northeast Afghanistan

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific off Fukushima, northeastern Japan, on Sunday, but there was no tsunami threat, US and Japanese authorities said.

The quake jolted large areas in the region at 7:23 pm (1023 GMT) with its epicentre located 54 kilometres (34 miles) east of Namie, eastern Fukushima, according to the US Geological Survey said.&nbsp;

The quake was also felt in Tokyo.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said there were no worries about tsunami damage.

The weather agency issued an emergency warning when the quake hit, but there was no immediate report of injuries or damage.

Shinkansen bullet train services were temporarily suspended in the region, public broadcaster NHK said.

No abnormality was detected at nuclear plants in the region, including the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, NHK said.

More than 18,000 were killed after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a massive tsunami on March 11, 2011, leading to the meltdown of reactors at the Fukushima plant.

Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year.

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific off Fukushima, northeastern Japan, on Sunday, but there was no tsunami threat, US and Japanese authorities said.

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific off Fukushima, northeastern Japan, on Sunday, but there was no tsunami threat, US and Japanese authorities said. The quake jolted large areas in the region at 7:23 pm (1023 GMT) with its epicentre located 54 kilometres (34 miles) east of Namie, eastern Fukushima, according to the US Geological Survey said. The quake was also felt in Tokyo. The Japan Meteorological Agency said there were no worries about tsunami damage. The weather agency issued an emergency warning when the quake hit, but there was no immediate report of injuries or damage. Shinkansen bullet train services were temporarily suspended in the region, public broadcaster NHK said. No abnormality was detected at nuclear plants in the region, including the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, NHK said. More than 18,000 were killed after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a massive tsunami on March 11, 2011, leading to the meltdown of reactors at the Fukushima plant. Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year.

6.3-magnitude quake hits northeastern Japan, no tsunami threat

Four people died and several were injured after a powerful undersea earthquake rocked <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tsunami-warning-after-magnitude-7-quake-strikes-off-indonesias-sumatra-240254">Indonesia's heavily populated Java island</a>, triggering a brief tsunami warning, the national disaster agency said Saturday.

The 6.9 magnitude quake on Friday evening sent residents fleeing to higher ground, while many in the capital Jakarta ran into the streets.

An official from Indonesia's national disaster agency warned the quake could generate a tsunami as high as three metres (10 feet), but the alert was lifted several hours later.

Three people died of heart attacks as the strong quake rocked the region, agency spokesman Agus Wibowo said on Saturday.

Another person fell to his death while trying to flee his house when the jolt happened, he said.

Four more people were injured and more than 200 buildings were damaged, with some 13 houses destroyed, he added.

Over 1,000 people, who had earlier evacuated to temporary shelters, returned home after authorities convinced them it was safe to do so, Wibowo said.

"There was thundering noise -- it sounded like a plane overhead -- and I was just so scared that I ran," said 69-year-old Isah, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, at an evacuation shelter in Pandeglang at the southwest end of Java.

In December, the area was hit by a volcano-sparked tsunami that killed over 400 people.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide.

Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people, with another thousand declared missing.

On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 across the Indian Ocean region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.

Four people died and several were injured after a powerful undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia's heavily populated Java island, triggering a brief tsunami warning, the national disaster agency said Saturday.

Four people died and several were injured after a powerful undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia's heavily populated Java island, triggering a brief tsunami warning, the national disaster agency said Saturday. The 6.9 magnitude quake on Friday evening sent residents fleeing to higher ground, while many in the capital Jakarta ran into the streets. An official from Indonesia's national disaster agency warned the quake could generate a tsunami as high as three metres (10 feet), but the alert was lifted several hours later. Three people died of heart attacks as the strong quake rocked the region, agency spokesman Agus Wibowo said on Saturday. Another person fell to his death while trying to flee his house when the jolt happened, he said. Four more people were injured and more than 200 buildings were damaged, with some 13 houses destroyed, he added. Over 1,000 people, who had earlier evacuated to temporary shelters, returned home after authorities convinced them it was safe to do so, Wibowo said. "There was thundering noise -- it sounded like a plane overhead -- and I was just so scared that I ran," said 69-year-old Isah, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, at an evacuation shelter in Pandeglang at the southwest end of Java. In December, the area was hit by a volcano-sparked tsunami that killed over 400 people. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people, with another thousand declared missing. On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 across the Indian Ocean region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.

Four dead, several injured after powerful quake rocks Indonesia

At least eight people were killed and over dozen were injured when the northern Philippines was struck with twin earthquakes of magnitudes 5.4 and 5.9 on early Saturday, police said.

Mayor Raul de Sagon told AFP that eight people had been killed and around 60 others were hurt. The extent of their injuries was not immediately clear.

The earthquakes hit the Batanes province, a group of sparsely populated islets north of the nation's largest Luzon island.

Many homes were collapsed and roads cracked.

Many people were still asleep when the first tremor struck around 4:15 am, followed just under four hours later by the second stronger jolt.&nbsp;

The Philippines is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from quake-prone Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

At least eight people were killed and over dozen were injured when the northern Philippines was struck with twin earthquakes of magnitudes 5.4 and 5.9 on early Saturday, police said.

At least eight people were killed and over dozen were injured when the northern Philippines was struck with twin earthquakes of magnitudes 5.4 and 5.9 on early Saturday, police said. Mayor Raul de Sagon told AFP that eight people had been killed and around 60 others were hurt. The extent of their injuries was not immediately clear. The earthquakes hit the Batanes province, a group of sparsely populated islets north of the nation's largest Luzon island. Many homes were collapsed and roads cracked. Many people were still asleep when the first tremor struck around 4:15 am, followed just under four hours later by the second stronger jolt. The Philippines is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from quake-prone Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Eight dead, 60 injured after twin quakes hit northern Philippines

A strong, shallow earthquake jolted Athens on Friday, knocking out phone and cellphone service and sending worried residents rushing into the streets, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

According to the Greek geodynamic institute, it was a 5.1-magnitude quake with an epicentre 23 kilometres northwest of Athens and was followed by aftershocks.

The quake struck at around 1100 GMT at a depth of 13 kilometres, news reports said.

Worried residents and office staff have crowded outdoor areas but the government denied it had ordered an evacuation alert.

The fire department rescued over a dozen people trapped in elevators in the capital, state broadcaster ERT said.

"People must remain calm," said Efthymios Lekkas, head of the state anti-quake protection agency.

"There is no reason for concern. The capital's buildings are built to withstand a much stronger earthquake," he told ERT.

The epicentre was near the area where a 5.9-magnitude quake left 143 people dead in and near Athens in 1999.

The US geological institute said Friday's quake had a magnitude of 5.3.

"For the time being we cannot be sure whether this was the main earthquake," seismologist Gerassimos Papadopoulos told ERT.

"There have been at least three (smaller) aftershocks already, which is a positive sign," he said, adding that the quake was felt as far as the Peloponnese islands.

"People in the capital must remain calm... they must be psychologically ready for more aftershocks," he said.

News media reported electricity outages but said internet connections were still operating.

Greece lies on major fault lines and is regularly hit by earthquakes, but they rarely cause casualties.

In July 2017, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake killed two people on the island of Kos in the Aegean sea, causing significant damage.

A strong, shallow earthquake jolted Athens on Friday, knocking out phone and cellphone service and sending worried residents rushing into the streets, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

A strong, shallow earthquake jolted Athens on Friday, knocking out phone and cellphone service and sending worried residents rushing into the streets, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. According to the Greek geodynamic institute, it was a 5.1-magnitude quake with an epicentre 23 kilometres northwest of Athens and was followed by aftershocks. The quake struck at around 1100 GMT at a depth of 13 kilometres, news reports said. Worried residents and office staff have crowded outdoor areas but the government denied it had ordered an evacuation alert. The fire department rescued over a dozen people trapped in elevators in the capital, state broadcaster ERT said. "People must remain calm," said Efthymios Lekkas, head of the state anti-quake protection agency. "There is no reason for concern. The capital's buildings are built to withstand a much stronger earthquake," he told ERT. The epicentre was near the area where a 5.9-magnitude quake left 143 people dead in and near Athens in 1999. The US geological institute said Friday's quake had a magnitude of 5.3. "For the time being we cannot be sure whether this was the main earthquake," seismologist Gerassimos Papadopoulos told ERT. "There have been at least three (smaller) aftershocks already, which is a positive sign," he said, adding that the quake was felt as far as the Peloponnese islands. "People in the capital must remain calm... they must be psychologically ready for more aftershocks," he said. News media reported electricity outages but said internet connections were still operating. Greece lies on major fault lines and is regularly hit by earthquakes, but they rarely cause casualties. In July 2017, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake killed two people on the island of Kos in the Aegean sea, causing significant damage.

Greece: 5.1-magnitude earthquake shakes Athens, knocks out phone service

An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter Scale on Friday evening hit Arunachal Pradesh. However, no casualties have been reported so far.

The epicentre of the quake was located at a depth of 64 km at northeast of Bomdila of West Kameng district in the state, according to USGS Big Quakes.&nbsp;

Tremors were also felt in some parts of Assam, Dimapur in Nagaland among other areas. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property.

Meanwhile, at least 37 people have lost their lives till now in floods and two landslide incidents in Assam. Approximately 53,52,107 people have been affected in 4,128 villages across 28 districts of the state. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter Scale on Friday evening hit Arunachal Pradesh. However, no casualties have been reported so far. The epicentre of the quake was located at a depth of 64 km at northeast of Bomdila of West Kameng district in the state, according to USGS Big Quakes.

An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter Scale on Friday evening hit Arunachal Pradesh. However, no casualties have been reported so far. The epicentre of the quake was located at a depth of 64 km at northeast of Bomdila of West Kameng district in the state, according to USGS Big Quakes. Tremors were also felt in some parts of Assam, Dimapur in Nagaland among other areas. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property. Meanwhile, at least 37 people have lost their lives till now in floods and two landslide incidents in Assam. Approximately 53,52,107 people have been affected in 4,128 villages across 28 districts of the state. (With inputs from agencies)

Earthquake hits Arunachal Pradesh; tremors felt in Assam, Nagaland

At least one person has been found dead and hundreds were evacuated after a major <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quake-with-73-magnitude-strikes-in-eastern-indonesia-usgs-235741">7.3-magnitude earthquake</a> hit the remote Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia on Sunday, an official said.

The shallow quake struck about 165 kilometres (100 miles) south-southwest of the town of Ternate in North Maluku province at 6:28 pm (0928 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey.

In South Halmahera district, the closest area to the epicentre, around 160 houses collapsed when the shallow earthquake struck. A woman was confirmed dead in the disaster.

"The victim was hit by the debris when her house collapsed," local disaster mitigation agency official Ihksan Subur told AFP Monday, adding no other casualties have been reported.

Hundreds of people are still sheltering in several schools, government buildings and higher grounds.

"The aftershocks still happen very frequently so people are still traumatised and don't dare to return home just yet," Subur said.

Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said until Monday morning at least 52 aftershocks have been recorded after the initial quake.

Local government officials have started to distribute logistics and food for the evacuees.

North Maluku province was also hit by a 6.9-magnitude tremor last week but no extensive damage or casualties were reported.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide.

Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people, with another thousand declared missing.

On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 across the Indian Ocean region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.&nbsp;

At least one person has been found dead and hundreds were evacuated after a major 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the remote Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia on Sunday, an official said.

At least one person has been found dead and hundreds were evacuated after a major 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the remote Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia on Sunday, an official said. The shallow quake struck about 165 kilometres (100 miles) south-southwest of the town of Ternate in North Maluku province at 6:28 pm (0928 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey. In South Halmahera district, the closest area to the epicentre, around 160 houses collapsed when the shallow earthquake struck. A woman was confirmed dead in the disaster. "The victim was hit by the debris when her house collapsed," local disaster mitigation agency official Ihksan Subur told AFP Monday, adding no other casualties have been reported. Hundreds of people are still sheltering in several schools, government buildings and higher grounds. "The aftershocks still happen very frequently so people are still traumatised and don't dare to return home just yet," Subur said. Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said until Monday morning at least 52 aftershocks have been recorded after the initial quake. Local government officials have started to distribute logistics and food for the evacuees. North Maluku province was also hit by a 6.9-magnitude tremor last week but no extensive damage or casualties were reported. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people, with another thousand declared missing. On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 across the Indian Ocean region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.

One dies, hundreds evacuated after 7.3 quake in Indonesia

A major 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit off the remote Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia Sunday, sending panicked residents running into the streets but no tsunami warning was issued.

The quake struck about 165 kilometres south-southwest of the town of Ternate in North Maluku province at 6:28 pm local time, at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey.

"The earthquake was quite strong, sending residents to flee outside, they are panicking and many are now waiting on the roadside," local disaster mitigation official Mansur, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP.

Officials were assessing the situation but there were no immediate reports of casualties, Mansur said.

The province was also hit by a 6.9-magnitude tremor last week but no extensive damage was reported.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide.

Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people with another thousand declared missing.

On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.&nbsp;

A major 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit off the remote Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia Sunday, sending panicked residents running into the streets but no tsunami warning was issued.

A major 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit off the remote Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia Sunday, sending panicked residents running into the streets but no tsunami warning was issued. The quake struck about 165 kilometres south-southwest of the town of Ternate in North Maluku province at 6:28 pm local time, at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey. "The earthquake was quite strong, sending residents to flee outside, they are panicking and many are now waiting on the roadside," local disaster mitigation official Mansur, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP. Officials were assessing the situation but there were no immediate reports of casualties, Mansur said. The province was also hit by a 6.9-magnitude tremor last week but no extensive damage was reported. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people with another thousand declared missing. On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.

Quake with 7.3 magnitude strikes in eastern Indonesia: USGS

Indonesia was hit by a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/69-magnitude-quake-strikes-off-indonesia-tsunami-warning-issued-233827">powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sunday</a>, the US Geological Survey reported, which triggered a tsunami warning for coastal communities nearby.

However, that warning was later lifted by Indonesia's geophysics agency.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The quake struck at a depth of 24 kilometres in the Molucca Sea, 185 kilometres southeast of Manado, between Sulawesi and Maluku islands.

Indonesia is one of the most disaster-hit nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide.

It has been hit by a string of deadly quakes including a devastating 2004 tremor measuring 9.1 magnitude that struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including 168,000 in Indonesia.&nbsp;

The Boxing Day disaster was the world's third-biggest quake since 1900, and lifted the ocean floor in some places by 15 metres.

Indonesia was hit by a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sunday, the US Geological Survey reported, which triggered a tsunami warning for coastal communities nearby.

Indonesia was hit by a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sunday, the US Geological Survey reported, which triggered a tsunami warning for coastal communities nearby. However, that warning was later lifted by Indonesia's geophysics agency. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The quake struck at a depth of 24 kilometres in the Molucca Sea, 185 kilometres southeast of Manado, between Sulawesi and Maluku islands. Indonesia is one of the most disaster-hit nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. It has been hit by a string of deadly quakes including a devastating 2004 tremor measuring 9.1 magnitude that struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including 168,000 in Indonesia. The Boxing Day disaster was the world's third-biggest quake since 1900, and lifted the ocean floor in some places by 15 metres.

Indonesia lifts tsunami warning after strong earthquake

Southwest Iran was struck with 5.7-magnitude earthquake on Monday at 11:30am, the country's national seismological centre reported.

The quake's epicentre was in the Masjed Soleiman area of Khuzestan province at a depth of 17 kilometres.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

More details are awaited.

Southwest Iran was struck with 5.7-magnitude earthquake on Monday at 11:30am, the country's national seismological centre reported. The quake's epicentre was in the Masjed Soleiman area of Khuzestan province at a depth of 17 kilometres.

Southwest Iran was struck with 5.7-magnitude earthquake on Monday at 11:30am, the country's national seismological centre reported. The quake's epicentre was in the Masjed Soleiman area of Khuzestan province at a depth of 17 kilometres. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. More details are awaited.

Southwest Iran hit by 5.7-magnitude earthquake

Manuel Hernandez isn't taking any chances. After a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocked the tiny desert town of Trona where he lives with his wife and two small children, bringing his fireplace crashing down onto the living room carpet, he's leaving his damaged home and heading to a nearby Red Cross Center.

Aftershocks hit California town near quake epicenter

A strong earthquake hit the Ridgecrest, Southern California. Watch this video to know more.

Breaking: Strong earthquake hits Ridgecrest, Southern California

Southern California was rocked by a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 on Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The latest quake was 11 times stronger than the previous day's "foreshock", according to the United States Geological Survey, and is part of what seismologists are calling an "earthquake sequence".

The tremor was felt more than 240 kilometres&nbsp;away in Los Angeles, where the fire department deployed vehicles and helicopters to check on damage and residents in need of emergency aid.

The department later released a statement saying that its ground and air survey had found "no major infrastructure damage".

"There has been no loss of life or serious injury that we can directly attribute to the widely felt 8:19 PM earthquake," LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey said in the statement.

This comes just a day after Southern California was hit by its largest earthquake in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/southern-california-rocked-by-powerful-64-magnitude-earthquake-in-two-decades-233096">two decades with 6.4-magnitude</a>.

It was felt 160 miles away in Los Angeles and even as far afield as Las Vegas in the neighbouring state of Nevada, as the United States celebrated its July 4 Independence Day holiday.

No casualties were reported on Thursday.

(With inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

Southern California was rocked by a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 on Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. The latest quake was 11 times stronger than the previous day's "foreshock", according to the United States Geological Survey, and is part of what seismologists are calling an "earthquake sequence".

Southern California was rocked by a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 on Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. The latest quake was 11 times stronger than the previous day's "foreshock", according to the United States Geological Survey, and is part of what seismologists are calling an "earthquake sequence". The tremor was felt more than 240 kilometres away in Los Angeles, where the fire department deployed vehicles and helicopters to check on damage and residents in need of emergency aid. The department later released a statement saying that its ground and air survey had found "no major infrastructure damage". "There has been no loss of life or serious injury that we can directly attribute to the widely felt 8:19 PM earthquake," LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey said in the statement. This comes just a day after Southern California was hit by its largest earthquake in two decades with 6.4-magnitude. It was felt 160 miles away in Los Angeles and even as far afield as Las Vegas in the neighbouring state of Nevada, as the United States celebrated its July 4 Independence Day holiday. No casualties were reported on Thursday. (With inputs from AFP)

Southern California hit by powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake

Emergency officials in Southern California's high desert braced for strong, potentially dangerous aftershocks from a major earthquake that damaged buildings, ruptured gas lines and sparked numerous fires near the quake's remote epicentre.

The powerful magnitude<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/southern-california-hit-by-powerful-71-magnitude-earthquake-233468&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiPz7PRqKDjAhXz63MBHbRMCwQQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0hOcDom0nBm07h94OFpz-P"> 7.1 tremor</a> rocked the Mojave Desert town of Ridgecrest near Death Valley National Park as darkness fell on Friday night, jolting the area with eight times more force than a 6.4 quake that had struck the same area 34 hours earlier.

California Governor Gavin Newsom requested federal assistance and placed the state Office of Emergency Services (OES) on its highest alert.

"We have significant reports of fires, structural fires, mostly as a result of gas leaks or gas line breaks," OES Director Mark Ghilarducci told a late-night news conference on Friday.

The quake also caused water main breaks and knocked out power and communications to parts of Ridgecrest, a city of about 27,000 that lies about 125 miles (202 km) northeast of Los Angeles.

No fatalities or serious injuries were reported from either quake, police said. But Ghilarducci said the full extent of damage would not be known before daybreak on Saturday.

"This was a very large earthquake, and we also know there's going to be a series of aftershocks as a result of the main quake," Ghilarducci said, adding his agency faced a "challenge" getting needed resources to the isolated quake zone. "This is not going to be something that's going to be over right away."

WIDELY FELT, MORE TO COME

Friday's earthquake was widely felt across Southern California, including greater Los Angeles, were shaking in some areas lasted about 40 seconds. Low-level rumbling extended as far north as the San Francisco Bay area and beyond to Reno, Nevada, and as far east as Phoenix, Arizona.

Seismologists said the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/southern-california-rocked-by-powerful-64-magnitude-earthquake-in-two-decades-233096&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiPz7PRqKDjAhXz63MBHbRMCwQQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2gBGSgwvHYPMRbETMG3vvM">initial quake on Thursday</a>, and dozens of smaller ones that followed it proved to be foreshocks to Friday's much larger temblor, which now ranks as Southern California's most powerful since a 7.1 quake that struck near a US&nbsp;Marine Corps base in the Mojave Desert in 1999.

The US&nbsp;Geological Survey said Friday's big quake was immediately followed by at least 16 aftershocks of magnitude 4 or greater and warned of a 50 per cent chance of another magnitude 6 quake in the days ahead.

South of Ridgecrest, there were reports of a building collapse and gas leaks in the small town of Trona, home to about 2,000 residents, Ghilarducci said.

A rockslide closed State Road 178 in Kern County, and video footage posted on Twitter showed a stretch of road had buckled.

Luke Smith, owner of Furys Sports Bar in Ridgecrest, said in a phone interview that Friday's quake shook tiles loose from the ceiling, slightly damaging his bar and knocking down some bottles.

Southern California's Metrolink commuter rail service reported delays on several of its lines for precautionary track inspections due to Friday's earthquake.

The last major destructive quake to hit Southern California was the 6.7 magnitude Northridge quake in 1994, which struck a densely populated area of Los Angeles. It killed 57 people and caused billions of dollars in property damage.

The comparatively limited extent of damage from Friday's quake, packing greater force than the Northridge event, was a function of its location in a remote, less developed area.

It's ground motion, however, startled seismically-jaded Southern Californians over a wide region.

Pools in Los Angeles sloshed wildly, and TV cameras at major league baseball's Dodger Stadium were shaking as they filmed the night game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

A television anchorwoman ducked under her desk in midst of a local newscast as shouts of "get under a desk" were heard in the background.

Emergency officials in Southern California's high desert braced for strong, potentially dangerous aftershocks from a major earthquake that damaged buildings, ruptured gas lines and sparked numerous fires near the quake's remote epicentre.

Emergency officials in Southern California's high desert braced for strong, potentially dangerous aftershocks from a major earthquake that damaged buildings, ruptured gas lines and sparked numerous fires near the quake's remote epicentre. The powerful magnitude 7.1 tremor rocked the Mojave Desert town of Ridgecrest near Death Valley National Park as darkness fell on Friday night, jolting the area with eight times more force than a 6.4 quake that had struck the same area 34 hours earlier. California Governor Gavin Newsom requested federal assistance and placed the state Office of Emergency Services (OES) on its highest alert. "We have significant reports of fires, structural fires, mostly as a result of gas leaks or gas line breaks," OES Director Mark Ghilarducci told a late-night news conference on Friday. The quake also caused water main breaks and knocked out power and communications to parts of Ridgecrest, a city of about 27,000 that lies about 125 miles (202 km) northeast of Los Angeles. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported from either quake, police said. But Ghilarducci said the full extent of damage would not be known before daybreak on Saturday. "This was a very large earthquake, and we also know there's going to be a series of aftershocks as a result of the main quake," Ghilarducci said, adding his agency faced a "challenge" getting needed resources to the isolated quake zone. "This is not going to be something that's going to be over right away." WIDELY FELT, MORE TO COME Friday's earthquake was widely felt across Southern California, including greater Los Angeles, were shaking in some areas lasted about 40 seconds. Low-level rumbling extended as far north as the San Francisco Bay area and beyond to Reno, Nevada, and as far east as Phoenix, Arizona. Seismologists said the initial quake on Thursday, and dozens of smaller ones that followed it proved to be foreshocks to Friday's much larger temblor, which now ranks as Southern California's most powerful since a 7.1 quake that struck near a US Marine Corps base in the Mojave Desert in 1999. The US Geological Survey said Friday's big quake was immediately followed by at least 16 aftershocks of magnitude 4 or greater and warned of a 50 per cent chance of another magnitude 6 quake in the days ahead. South of Ridgecrest, there were reports of a building collapse and gas leaks in the small town of Trona, home to about 2,000 residents, Ghilarducci said. A rockslide closed State Road 178 in Kern County, and video footage posted on Twitter showed a stretch of road had buckled. Luke Smith, owner of Furys Sports Bar in Ridgecrest, said in a phone interview that Friday's quake shook tiles loose from the ceiling, slightly damaging his bar and knocking down some bottles. Southern California's Metrolink commuter rail service reported delays on several of its lines for precautionary track inspections due to Friday's earthquake. The last major destructive quake to hit Southern California was the 6.7 magnitude Northridge quake in 1994, which struck a densely populated area of Los Angeles. It killed 57 people and caused billions of dollars in property damage. The comparatively limited extent of damage from Friday's quake, packing greater force than the Northridge event, was a function of its location in a remote, less developed area. It's ground motion, however, startled seismically-jaded Southern Californians over a wide region. Pools in Los Angeles sloshed wildly, and TV cameras at major league baseball's Dodger Stadium were shaking as they filmed the night game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. A television anchorwoman ducked under her desk in midst of a local newscast as shouts of "get under a desk" were heard in the background.

California desert braces for aftershocks from major 7.1 quake

Southern California was rocked by its largest earthquake in two decades on Thursday, but the 6.4-magnitude tremblor caused only "minor" injuries.

The shallow quake, which was followed by dozens of aftershocks, struck in a sparsely populated portion of the Mojave Desert, 10 kilometres from the city of Ridgecrest at 10:33 am.&nbsp;

It was felt 160 miles away in Los Angeles and even as far afield as Las Vegas in the neighbouring state of Nevada, as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/salute-to-america-trump-praises-us-military-in-july-4-speech-233094">United States celebrated its July 4</a> Independence Day holiday.

Although the quake in the most populous US state of California revived fears of the "Big One" -- a powerful tremblor along the San Andreas Fault that could devastate major cities in Southern California -- President Trump was quick to reassure that this wasn't it.

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Been fully briefed on earthquake in Southern California. All seems to be very much under control!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1146862295466819585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"All seems to be very much under control!" he tweeted two hours after the quake in the Searles Valley of San Bernardino County.

California Institute of Technology seismologist Lucy Jones told a press conference that residents "will continue having a lot of aftershocks," some may be as strong as magnitude five.

The quake was the largest in southern California since 1999 when a 7.1-magnitude quake struck the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps base, according to The Los Angeles Times.

David Witt, the fire chief in Kern County which includes Ridgecrest, reported "minor, minor injuries," stemming from broken glass and shelves falling down in supermarkets.&nbsp;

He was not able to provide an exact number of casualties.

Peggy Breeden, mayor of Ridgecrest which has a population of 28,000, said the local hospital had been evacuated as a precaution, and that she had received reports of a handful of house fires.

Some areas of the city had lost power, while gas had been cut due to ruptured lines, she said.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department, meanwhile, said that "buildings and roads have sustained varying degrees of damage."&nbsp;

This included "buildings with minor cracks, broken water mains, power lines down, rock slides on certain roads."

The quake struck at a depth of 10.7 kilometres in the vast desert region, lasting seconds.

Its epicentre was located in or on the edge of the US Navy's sprawling desert bomb testing range known as China Lake.&nbsp;

The Naval Air Weapons Station covers 1.1 million acres and strictly controls the airspace above it. Inside, the Navy develops and tests missiles, bombs, artillery shells and other war ordnance, and the aircraft used to deliver it.

An official at China Lake said there was "substantial damage" to their facilities, including fires, water leaks and spills of hazardous materials.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said there was no significant damage there, while the city's international airport said its runways were unharmed, with operations continuing as normal.

'Even bigger earthquake'

Jones said there is a small possibility this quake is the prelude to a larger one.

"There is about a one-in-20 chance that this location will be having an even bigger earthquake within the next few days, that we have not yet seen the biggest earthquake of the sequence," she said.

"There have been hundreds of earthquakes today," she said, including more than 100 that the United States Geological Survey measured at greater than magnitude 2.5.

For filmmaker Ava DuVernay, a lifelong resident of Los Angles, "That was the longest earthquake I've ever experienced. Not jerky. Smooth and rolling. But it was loooong."

Southern California was rocked by its largest earthquake in two decades on Thursday, but the 6.4-magnitude tremblor caused only "minor" injuries. The shallow quake, which was followed by dozens of aftershocks, struck in a sparsely populated portion of the Mojave Desert, 10 kilometres from the city of Ridgecrest at 10:33 am.

Southern California was rocked by its largest earthquake in two decades on Thursday, but the 6.4-magnitude tremblor caused only "minor" injuries. The shallow quake, which was followed by dozens of aftershocks, struck in a sparsely populated portion of the Mojave Desert, 10 kilometres from the city of Ridgecrest at 10:33 am. It was felt 160 miles away in Los Angeles and even as far afield as Las Vegas in the neighbouring state of Nevada, as the United States celebrated its July 4 Independence Day holiday. Although the quake in the most populous US state of California revived fears of the "Big One" -- a powerful tremblor along the San Andreas Fault that could devastate major cities in Southern California -- President Trump was quick to reassure that this wasn't it. Been fully briefed on earthquake in Southern California. All seems to be very much under control! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 4, 2019 × "All seems to be very much under control!" he tweeted two hours after the quake in the Searles Valley of San Bernardino County. California Institute of Technology seismologist Lucy Jones told a press conference that residents "will continue having a lot of aftershocks," some may be as strong as magnitude five. The quake was the largest in southern California since 1999 when a 7.1-magnitude quake struck the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps base, according to The Los Angeles Times. David Witt, the fire chief in Kern County which includes Ridgecrest, reported "minor, minor injuries," stemming from broken glass and shelves falling down in supermarkets. He was not able to provide an exact number of casualties. Peggy Breeden, mayor of Ridgecrest which has a population of 28,000, said the local hospital had been evacuated as a precaution, and that she had received reports of a handful of house fires. Some areas of the city had lost power, while gas had been cut due to ruptured lines, she said. The San Bernardino County Fire Department, meanwhile, said that "buildings and roads have sustained varying degrees of damage." This included "buildings with minor cracks, broken water mains, power lines down, rock slides on certain roads." The quake struck at a depth of 10.7 kilometres in the vast desert region, lasting seconds. Its epicentre was located in or on the edge of the US Navy's sprawling desert bomb testing range known as China Lake. The Naval Air Weapons Station covers 1.1 million acres and strictly controls the airspace above it. Inside, the Navy develops and tests missiles, bombs, artillery shells and other war ordnance, and the aircraft used to deliver it. An official at China Lake said there was "substantial damage" to their facilities, including fires, water leaks and spills of hazardous materials. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said there was no significant damage there, while the city's international airport said its runways were unharmed, with operations continuing as normal. 'Even bigger earthquake' Jones said there is a small possibility this quake is the prelude to a larger one. "There is about a one-in-20 chance that this location will be having an even bigger earthquake within the next few days, that we have not yet seen the biggest earthquake of the sequence," she said. "There have been hundreds of earthquakes today," she said, including more than 100 that the United States Geological Survey measured at greater than magnitude 2.5. For filmmaker Ava DuVernay, a lifelong resident of Los Angles, "That was the longest earthquake I've ever experienced. Not jerky. Smooth and rolling. But it was loooong."

6.4-magnitude earthquake hits southern California; no casualties

The death toll in China's Sichuan Province earthquake mounted to 31 on Sunday.

The earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter Scale struck Gongxian County in China's southwest province of Sichuan, local authorities said.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), the epicentre of the quake, which occurred at 10:29 p.m (local time), was at a depth of 10 kilometres.

The injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment.&nbsp;

None of them is in critical condition, reports Xinhua news agency.

This comes after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake jolted Changning County of Yibin City on Monday, leaving 13 people dead and 220 others injured.

The death toll in China's Sichuan Province earthquake mounted to 31 on Sunday. The earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter Scale struck Gongxian County in China's southwest province of Sichuan, local authorities said.

The death toll in China's Sichuan Province earthquake mounted to 31 on Sunday. The earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter Scale struck Gongxian County in China's southwest province of Sichuan, local authorities said. According to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), the epicentre of the quake, which occurred at 10:29 p.m (local time), was at a depth of 10 kilometres. The injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment. None of them is in critical condition, reports Xinhua news agency. This comes after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake jolted Changning County of Yibin City on Monday, leaving 13 people dead and 220 others injured.

Death toll in China's earthquake rises to 31

Two earthquakes measuring 4.8 and 3.0 respectively on the Richter Scale hit Satara district of Maharashtra on Sunday morning, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said, reported news agency ANI.

The first quake struck at around 7:47 am with the depth of 10 km, while the second struck at 8:27 am, the report added.

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IMD: An earthquake of magnitude 3.0 struck Satara. Maharashtra at 8;27 am today. <a href="https://t.co/w80eJoxXRp">https://t.co/w80eJoxXRp</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1141572844259696640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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No casualties have been reported so far.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Two earthquakes measuring 4.8 and 3.0 respectively on the Richter Scale hit Satara district of Maharashtra on Sunday morning, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said, reported news agency ANI.

Two earthquakes measuring 4.8 and 3.0 respectively on the Richter Scale hit Satara district of Maharashtra on Sunday morning, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said, reported news agency ANI. The first quake struck at around 7:47 am with the depth of 10 km, while the second struck at 8:27 am, the report added. IMD: An earthquake of magnitude 3.0 struck Satara. Maharashtra at 8;27 am today. https://t.co/w80eJoxXRp — ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2019 × No casualties have been reported so far.

2 quakes reported in Maharashtra's Satara district

The toll from a strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake in southwest China rose to 11 dead and 122 injured on Tuesday, as rescuers pulled survivors from wrecked buildings. The earthquake struck outside the city of Yibin in Sichuan province late Monday at a depth of 16 kilometres (10 miles), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

Two Quakes Hit China In 30 Minutes, 11 Killed & Over A Hundred Injured

An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude struck in eastern Indonesia on Monday, the European monitoring agency said, but there were no immediate report of any casualties or damage.

The epicentre was 133 km (83 miles) northwest of the city of Kupang on Timor island, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said. 
&nbsp;

An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude struck in eastern Indonesia on Monday, the European monitoring agency said, but there were no immediate report of any casualties or damage.

An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude struck in eastern Indonesia on Monday, the European monitoring agency said, but there were no immediate report of any casualties or damage. The epicentre was 133 km (83 miles) northwest of the city of Kupang on Timor island, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said.

Earthquake of 6.2 magnitude strikes in eastern Indonesia

A 'suspected explosion' occurred near the China-North Korea border&nbsp;causing a&nbsp;small quake, reports said.&nbsp;

A 'suspected explosion' occurred near the China-North Korea border causing a small quake, reports said.

'Suspected explosion' near China-North Korea border causes small quake

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the uninhabited Kermadec islands northeast of New Zealand Sunday, Civil Defence authorities of the country says.

New Zealand’s Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management cleared New Zealand of a tsunami threat moments after issuing a beach warning.&nbsp;

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There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the M7.0 Kermadec Islands region earthquake. Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to NZ. <a href="https://t.co/ccVFYQQoBr">https://t.co/ccVFYQQoBr</a>
— MCDEM (@NZcivildefence) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZcivildefence/status/1140042668250030080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The US Geological Survey said the earthquake hit a spot about 873 kilometres (541 miles) northeast of Ngunguru, New Zealand, a town of about 1,400 people. It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles).

The area the quake struck is called the Kermadec Islands, about 800 kilometers (497 miles) northeast of New Zealand’s North Island.

The Kermadec Islands, a volcanic archipelago, are prone to earthquakes. The islands are a dependency of New Zealand and lie at the western edge of the Kermadec Trench.

Earthquakes have frequently struck the Kermadecs, including a 7.4 magnitude quake in 2006 and&nbsp;a 7.6 in 2007.&nbsp;

In 2011,&nbsp;two quakes, measuring 7.6 and 7.4, struck three months apart. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the uninhabited Kermadec islands northeast of New Zealand Sunday, Civil Defence authorities of the country says.

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the uninhabited Kermadec islands northeast of New Zealand Sunday, Civil Defence authorities of the country says. New Zealand’s Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management cleared New Zealand of a tsunami threat moments after issuing a beach warning. There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the M7.0 Kermadec Islands region earthquake. Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to NZ. https://t.co/ccVFYQQoBr — MCDEM (@NZcivildefence) June 15, 2019 × The US Geological Survey said the earthquake hit a spot about 873 kilometres (541 miles) northeast of Ngunguru, New Zealand, a town of about 1,400 people. It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles). The area the quake struck is called the Kermadec Islands, about 800 kilometers (497 miles) northeast of New Zealand’s North Island. The Kermadec Islands, a volcanic archipelago, are prone to earthquakes. The islands are a dependency of New Zealand and lie at the western edge of the Kermadec Trench. Earthquakes have frequently struck the Kermadecs, including a 7.4 magnitude quake in 2006 and a 7.6 in 2007. In 2011, two quakes, measuring 7.6 and 7.4, struck three months apart. (With inputs from agencies)

Powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits New Zealand; no tsunami threat

A 5.3-magnitude quake in southeast Albania Saturday injured four people and damaged houses, local officials said.

Media reports said four people were hurt in Floq, 15 kilometres (10 miles) southeast of the city of Korca, which lies 180 kilometres southeast of the capital Tirana.

Officials in Korca said the quake had damaged around 60 houses.

According to Albania's Institute of Geosciences, it struck at 6:26 am (0426 GMT) and was followed by seven weaker aftershocks.

A 5.3-magnitude quake in southeast Albania Saturday injured four people and damaged houses, local officials said. Media reports said four people were hurt in Floq, 15 kilometres (10 miles) southeast of the city of Korca, which lies 180 kilometres southeast of the capital Tirana.

A 5.3-magnitude quake in southeast Albania Saturday injured four people and damaged houses, local officials said. Media reports said four people were hurt in Floq, 15 kilometres (10 miles) southeast of the city of Korca, which lies 180 kilometres southeast of the capital Tirana. Officials in Korca said the quake had damaged around 60 houses. According to Albania's Institute of Geosciences, it struck at 6:26 am (0426 GMT) and was followed by seven weaker aftershocks.

5.3 magnitude quake in Albania causes injuries, damages houses: Officials

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