Moderate intensity quake shakes parts of Saurashtra

AHMEDABAD: An earthquake of magnitude 3.8 on the Richter scale today shook parts of Saurashtra region in Gujarat, causing brief panic among residents but there was no report of any casualty or damage to property.

The quake's epicentre was located in the Arabian sea off the coast of Mangrol in Junagadh district, around 300 km from here, an official of the Institute of Seismological Research (IRS) at Gandhingar said.

The earthquake of 3.8 magnitude, with its epicentre located 47 km west-southwest of Mangrol, hit Saurashtra at 12:23 pm, the official said, adding an aftershock was also recorded seven minutes later.

"An aftershock of 2.5 magnitude was also felt with its epicentre 54km west-southwest of Mangrol," he said, adding the impact on land was not much as the epicentre of the quake was located in the Arabian Sea.

The tremor caused brief panic among residents of Mangrol, Junagadh city and adjoining areas in the district, but no casualty or damage to property was reported, Junagadh Collector Rahul Gupta said.

"It was a mild tremor. We have not received any report of damage or casualty," Gupta said.