India
oi-Swastika Sruti
Residents across several parts of West Bengal experienced strong tremors late on Sunday night after an earthquake struck near Bhutan. The shaking was felt in Kolkata as well as several districts of North Bengal, creating panic among people who rushed out of their homes.
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred near Bhutan on June 7, 2026, at 11:06 PM, with tremors felt in West Bengal, Sikkim, Northeast India, and Assam, though no casualties or major damage were initially reported.
According to preliminary reports, the earthquake occurred at around 11:06 pm and measured 5.7 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was located near Bhutan, close to the country’s capital, Thimphu.
Many residents reported feeling the tremors for several seconds, particularly those living in multi-storey buildings.
Earthquake in Bhutan, tremors felt in North Bengal pic.twitter.com/lGZMJ0p4sO
— Soumyajit Majumder (@SoumyajitWrites) June 7, 2026
Tremors Felt In Kolkata And Several North Bengal Districts
The earthquake was felt across a wide area of West Bengal.
Apart from Kolkata, residents in Siliguri, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar also reported experiencing strong tremors.
People in several parts of Assam felt the earthquake as well, highlighting the wide impact of the seismic activity across eastern and northeastern India.
Witnesses said the sudden shaking caused confusion and fear, especially as many people were already indoors late at night.
#Breaking: An earthquake of estimated magnitude 5.7 struck near Bhutan at around 11:06 PM on June 7, 2026, according to the Android Earthquake Alerts System. The epicenter was about 252 km from parts of Assam, with tremors felt across several areas in Northeast India. pic.twitter.com/f9eaeCgGcC
— IANS (@ians_india) June 7, 2026
Epicentre Located Near Bhutan
According to available information, the earthquake originated near Bhutan and was reported to have occurred around 19 kilometres from Thimphu.
The epicentre was approximately 250 kilometres from parts of Assam and less than 300 kilometres from Siliguri, which explains why the tremors were strongly felt across neighbouring regions.
Experts generally classify earthquakes above magnitude 5 as significant seismic events capable of causing noticeable ground shaking over large distances.
Residents Rush Outdoors Amid Panic
The tremors triggered panic among residents in several cities and towns.
Many people immediately stepped out of their homes after feeling the ground shake. In some areas, families gathered in open spaces fearing possible aftershocks.
In Cooch Behar, several residents who had already gone to bed rushed onto the streets after feeling their buildings vibrate.
Many remained outside for some time, worried that another tremor could follow.
Heavy Rain Added To The Anxiety
The earthquake occurred on a night when several districts in North Bengal were already witnessing heavy rainfall.
According to local residents, many people first received earthquake alerts on their mobile phones before feeling the tremors.
The combination of severe weather and sudden ground movement added to the anxiety and confusion.
In Siliguri, where residents have experienced earthquakes in the past, people were quick to recognise the signs and move to safer locations.
No Immediate Reports Of Damage
As of now, there have been no reports of casualties or major property damage in West Bengal.
Authorities are monitoring the situation and gathering information from different districts to assess any possible impact.
There have also been no confirmed reports of significant damage in Assam.
However, details regarding the situation in Bhutan, where the earthquake originated, were not immediately available.
Region Has Experienced Earthquakes Before
North Bengal and the Himalayan region are considered seismically active zones and have experienced several earthquakes over the years.
The region has previously felt the impact of powerful earthquakes originating in Nepal, Bhutan and neighbouring areas. Some of those events caused damage and disruption across parts of eastern India.
Sunday night’s earthquake once again reminded residents of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity.
Authorities Continue Monitoring Situation
While no major damage has been reported so far, officials are continuing to monitor developments and remain alert for any aftershocks.
The earthquake caused widespread panic, but the absence of immediate reports of casualties has come as a relief to residents across West Bengal and neighbouring states.
Further updates are expected as authorities gather more information about the impact of the quake and assess conditions near the epicentre in Bhutan.
