| Date | 21 September 2009 |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 6.1[1][2] |
| Depth | 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) |
| Countries or regions | Bhutan India China |
| Casualties | at least 11[2] |
The 2009 Bhutan earthquake was a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred at 14:53 local time, 08:53 UTC, on September 21, 2009 in the eastern region of Bhutan. The epicenter was situated at 180 kilometres (110 mi) east of the capital Thimphu, in Mongar District.[3] However, Bangladesh and India also felt it, with buildings in Guwahati, Assam, cracking up.[4] The tremors were felt as far as Tibet.[5]
At least eleven people are reported to have been killed—seven in Bhutan, four in India.[2] The death toll, initially ten, increased when one more died in the night.[6][7][8][9] At least fifteen were wounded.[2] Many of the deaths in Bhutan came about when their houses fell in on top of them.[2] The Indians were construction workers whose road fell through.[2]
One businessman said the earthquake happened as shopping was underway for the Blessed Rainy Day ceremony of Buddhism.[4] Another inhabitant said it "made the surrounding hills look like they were throwing up dust" and that "the road was suddenly filled with boulders and mud".[2] Thousands are living outdoors as a result.[4] Children were crushed under structures as they caved in.[4] Roads were blocked but these were cleaned up relatively quickly.[4] Monasteries were also struck.[9] People ran for their lives out of their homes.[9]
There were at least seven aftershocks.[2]
An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale was heard in Myanmar and the northeast Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur and the following day.[1]
Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigme Thinley said the earthquake was "one of the biggest disasters in recent times".[4] He also said the length of the earthquake (95 seconds) was "very long".[4] He and his home minister have embarked on a visit to the region.[4]
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