5.5-magnitude earthquake shakes Nepal's Pokhara

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale jolted Nepal's popular tourist hub Pokhara on Saturday with no reports of damage or casualties. Panic-stricken people ran out of their homes into open fields when the tremor was felt in the region around 7:44 pm (local time).

There were no immediate reports of any major damage due to the earthquake, according to Seismological Centre of Nepal. A woman who ran out of her house in panic sustained minor injuries as she slipped, police said.

The epicentre of the quake was in Kaski district, 300 km west of Kathmandu, an official of the National Seismological Centre in Kathmandu said. The tremor was felt for around three seconds in Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi and other neighbouring districts.