The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale shook the country at about 11 PM on Saturday and lasted several seconds with its impact felt in northern and north-western districts, said an official.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

Mainul Islam, a meteorologist of the weather office, said that the quake was recorded at 10:55 PM Saturday with its epicentre located 290 kilometres north-northwest of Dhaka.

The impact of the quake was felt in Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Natore and Pabna, he said.

Local residents of Rajshahi town said that they had seen people to rush out of their homes to the streets.

Dr Syed Humayun Akhter, Professor of Department of Geology of Dhaka University, said the tremor had lasted up to five seconds. Meanwhile, our Rajshahi Correspondent said around 300 university and college students left a private hostel in the city's Sahebbazar area Sunday morning as the six-storied building tilted during Saturday night's earthquake.

Hazi Hostel, housing 300 students of Rajshahi University, Rajshahi College and other educational institutions, tilted on the night but no one was reported injured, sources said.

Around 20 to 30 old buildings in the north-western city also developed cracks, but there were no reports of anyone hurt.