07 Aug 2023 | 07:52 AM UTC
India: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs near Nicobar Islands at around 12:53 Aug. 7
Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs near Nicobar Islands, India, at around 12:53 Aug. 7. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Event
A magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurred in the Andaman Sea near India's Nicobar Islands at around 12:53 Aug. 7. The epicenter was about 331 km (205 miles) south-southeast of Port Blair. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 68 km (42 miles), and light shaking probably occurred in parts of Nicobar and southern Andaman islands. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.
Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible where shaking occurred.
Advice
Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.
