A series of earthquakes sent waves of panic across the Himalayan state of Sikkim and parts of North Bengal late Friday night. In a span of just four and a half hours, the region was rattled by at least 13 consecutive tremors, forcing residents and tourists to flee their homes and hotels in the freezing cold.

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the primary earthquake struck at 1:39 AM (IST). The epicenter was located in Gyalshing, West Sikkim, at a depth of 10 kilometers. It measured 4.5 on the Richter scale.

This initial jolt was followed by a series of aftershocks that continued until 6:00 AM.

The tremors were felt strongly across North Bengal, including Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Jalpaiguri. In Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, the sudden shaking of buildings led to chaotic scenes as tourists and locals gathered in open spaces and streets.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties or major structural damage so far. Local authorities are currently monitoring the situation, especially in high-altitude areas, to check for potential landslides triggered by the repeated vibrations.