3rdLd-Writethru: Quake hits N.E. India, strong tremors felt across country

Simultaneously with the strong quake in neighboring Nepal, a major earthquake hit the northeastern region of India on Saturday, while strong tremors were felt across India, said Indian officials.

"A major intensity earthquake measuring 7.7 on Richter scale shook most parts of northeastern states and Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh," India's northeast state of Tripura meteorological department Director Dilip Saha told the media.

"The earthquake occurred at 11.45 a.m. Reports of any loss of life and property is yet to be received," he added.

Disaster management control rooms of Tripura, Mizoram and other states in northeast said there was no immediate report of casualties or damage to property so far.

The met official said the epicenter of the earthquake was in Nepal.

"The tremors were also felt in most of the eastern states, Bangladesh and Myanmar," the official said.

Meanwhile, strong tremors were felt at least twice in the Indian capital Delhi, causing panic among the residents and forcing the subway service to come to a standstill.

In the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and the eastern states of Bihar and West Bengal, strong tremors brought chaos to some areas.

The government has not officially responded to the quake, but security measures are apparently being tightened up.

The central state of Maharashtra's Nagpur city also reported a minor quake at the same time. Endi