The epicentre is located about 50 kilometres north-east of Bhuj city, at a latitude of 23.4 degrees north and a longitude 70.3 degrees east. According to media reports the tremor lasted for about two minutes and its repercussions were also felt in Delhi, Bombay, Jaipur and Chennai, as well as in the neighboring state of Pakistan. The area is sparsely populated, however, initial accounts indicate that the earthquake caused serious damage in the Ahmadabad, the capital of Gujarat. At least 140 people have been killed and the death toll is expected to rise significantly, since the search for bodies and people trapped in the rubble of ruined buildings has only begun. The Government of India has activated the Disaster Management Control Room at the Ministry of Agriculture to coordinate national relief efforts.
Today is a public holiday in India.
OCHA has put the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team on alert. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in New Delhi which receives information from the relevant governmental authorities.