WATCH: UNSC meeting interrupted, Statue of Liberty shakes after rare earthquake rattles New York

New York, which is on the east coast of the United States, was hit by a rare earthquake of 4.7 magnitude, on Friday (Apr 5), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). During the quake, buildings rattled sparking panic among residents since NYC is not in an earthquake-prone region.

‘You’re making the ground shake’

The earthquake occurred on Friday morning around 10:23 am (local time) while Janti Soeripto, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Save the Children US was addressing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Soeripto was speaking about the sufferings of the women and children in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas when tremors were felt in the room. Subsequently, delegates were seen looking around and the room fell silent.

“Was that an earthquake,” she asked, to which Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour, who was sitting next to her said, “Yeah. You’re making the ground shake,” leading some to chuckle.

“Madam President, Am I ok to continue?” Soeripto asked before continuing with her statement.

Statue of Liberty shakes, NYC skyline during the quake

The epicentre, according to the USGS, was near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. However, the quake was felt across New Jersey, NYC, western Connecticut, and northern Pennsylvania, reported Reuters. The depth of the epicentre was 5 kilometres, as per the US government agency.

A video by EarthCam also showed the NYC skyline the moment that the earthquake – one of the strongest quakes on the east coast in the last century – also rattled NYC’s iconic landmark the Statue of Liberty.

In a series of posts on X, another historic structure that stands out on the NYC skyline, the Empire State Building confirmed that it was doing just fine after the earthquake. “I AM FINE,” said the post on Friday.

After a second earthquakeof magnitude 4.0 was reported in New Jersey on Friday, the Empire State Building yet again took to X and said, “NOT AGAIN,” and in a subsequent post said, “I AM STILL FINE”.

There have been at least 12 aftershocks that registered 1.8 or more on the Richter scale, according to the USGS.

(With inputs from agencies)