Earthquake damages two pagodas in northwest Myanmar, no reports of casualties

Residents who rushed outdoors following tremors stand on a road outside their houses in Kolkata, India, April 13, 2016. [Photo/IC]

YANGON, April 13 (Reuters) - An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 struck northwestern Myanmar on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, sending strong tremors through Myanmar, eastern India, Bangladesh and parts of Nepal.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or loss of life as a result of the tremor, jolted at 20:25 local time (1355 GMT) with an epicenter 68 km east of Kalay township, Sagaing region, and near Chindwin river bank at an estimated depth of 134 km.

But around 50 people suffered mainly leg injuries in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka and northeastern city of Sylhet as they fled homes and other buildings during the quake, according to police.

There was no major damage to houses but two pagodas around the quake-hit region. The Htees, which are set up at the top of two pagodas located in Salingyi township, Yinmar Pin Province and Chaung Oo township, Monwya Province of Sagaing region, fell down due to the earthquake.

Witnesses in Bagan, central Myanmar, said some tourists left their hotel rooms and stood outside when they felt the tremor. They saw no sign of damage to buildings, however.

"We haven't heard any reports of casualties or damage," said an official from Myanmar's meteorological department based in the capital Naypyitaw. "So far as I know the epicentre wasn't in a densely populated area."

Electricity was cut off in parts of northeastern India as thermal power stations were shut down as a precautionary measure.

"I felt the tremor three times. I saw people rushing out," said Rupak De Chowdhuri, a Reuters photographer in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata.

Strong tremors felt in Tibet after Myanmar quake

A handout shakemap provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS) on 16 April 2016 of a 6.9 magnitude earthquake (indicated by a star, C) detected in north-western Myanmar, 16 April 2016. According to initial reports by USGS, Myanmar was hit by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake. [Photo/IC]