An earthquake with a magnitude 5.5 on the Richter scale struck Nepal early Friday, with tremors felt in parts of India as well. Initial reports suggest no casualties or significant damage. The epicenter was near the Bhote Koshi region of the country.

Kathmandu: An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale hit Nepal early on Friday, with tremors felt in Bihar, parts of West Bengal, and other parts of the country, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre. The earthquake occurred around 2.30 AM in Bagmati Province of the country. Officials say the impact of the earthquake is still being assessed. However, there is, no report of any casualties. Several videos showing ceiling fans and buildings. shaking can be seen on social media. The report also put the depth of the earthquake at 10 km (6.21 miles).

Speaking to Reuters Pasang Nurpu Sherpa, chairman of the Bhote Koshi rural municipality, said, “ “I have no information of any damage so far. The earthquake triggered a landslide across the river at Dugunagadi Bhir. There are no houses around the site of the landslide.” The Bhote Koshi is the epicenter of the earthquake. “It shook us from our sleep strongly. We rushed out of the home. People have now returned back to their homes. We have not received any report of damage or injuries so far,” Ganesh Nepali, a  Nepali official, said while speaking to the agenc

Notably, the Himalayan country lies in one of the most active tectonic zones (Seismic zones IV and V), making Nepal extremely vulnerable to earthquakes. One of the worst earthquakes that Nepal witnessed in its history was in 2015 when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake stuck the country, killing over 9,000 people. The earthquake also damaged over 1 million structures.