Quake Jolts Kolkata, Speech Halted

5.5-magnitude tremor from Bangladesh epicentre triggers panic; Sukanta Majumdar pauses address

February 27, 2026: Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar abruptly stopped his speech on Friday after a strong earthquake shook Kolkata, sending waves of panic across the city. The tremors were felt around 1:22 pm, prompting residents to rush out of homes and offices. According to the National Centre for Seismology, the quake measured 5.5 on the Richter scale at a depth of 10 km, with its epicentre located in southwestern Bangladesh. The United States Geological Survey earlier estimated the magnitude at 5.3, noting the epicentre was about 26 km southeast of Taki in West Bengal. Such variations are common during preliminary assessments.

The tremor was felt across Kolkata and several neighbouring districts, particularly areas close to the India-Bangladesh border. Eyewitnesses described ceiling fans swaying, windows rattling, and furniture shaking inside multi-storey buildings. Videos on social media captured people hurrying out of residential complexes and office spaces as a precaution.

Residents recounted moments of fear and confusion. Swagata, a local resident, said her family was sitting on the sofa when the tremors began. “The sofa and fan were shaking, and a bottle fell from the table. We immediately rushed downstairs,” she said. Many residents reported experiencing an earthquake for the first time, describing the sensation as unsettling but confirming there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries.