1st LD Writethru: People rush out of residences for safety as earthquake in India jolts Bangladesh

A moderate earthquake in Ambassa near Tripura in northeastern India, measuring 5.5 magnitude on the Richter scale, shooked parts of Bangladesh including capital Dhaka.

Mominul Islam, a meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, told Xinhua that the earthquake, with its epicenter some 176 km to the east of Dhaka, struck almost the entire country at about 3:09 p.m. (local time) Tuesday.

He said the quake rolled almost across Dhaka, rattling nerves and shaking buildings.

Thousands of people in Dhaka and many other parts reportedly panicked and rushed outdoors following the jolts which lasted for seconds.

Dozens of people have also reportedly been slightly injured in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country as they rushed out of their residences for safety in panic.

Panic gripped people in Dhaka were seen to take to the streets and stay there for long time being afraid of any possible aftershocks.

Police and fire officials said there had been no immediate reports of big damage. Endit