NEW YORK: A rare earthquake struck the US states of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania on Friday, shaking buildings, especially in the skyscraper-heavy city of New York and its surrounding areas.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the 4.8-magnitude earthquake was centred just northeast of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.
It struck at around 10:20 a.m. local time in New York (15:20 GMT). There were no immediate reports of major damage.
The earthquake briefly interrupted a United Nations Security Council meeting on developments in Gaza on Friday.
The shaking was particularly noticeable in the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx).
The New York City Emergency Management Department sent out a general alert via phone to all residents, urging them to stay indoors and call 911 if they experience any damage or injuries. Dozens of people in New York were seen running out of their homes and workplaces onto the streets in panic.
Initial reports indicate the
earthquake was felt across a wide area, from New York City to Philadelphia and the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.
Source: Emirates News Agency