Magnitude 5.6 earthquake strikes western Bhutan, tremors felt across region
A 5.6-magnitude earthquake (reported by some agencies at 5.7-5.8) struck near Punakha in western Bhutan late on Sunday, June 7, at a shallow depth of around 10 km. The tremor was strongly felt in the capital Thimphu, where residents fled buildings fearing aftershocks, and across northeastern India (Sikkim, Assam, West Bengal) and Bangladesh, including Dhaka. Several minor aftershocks were recorded. No casualties or significant damage have been reported, and the USGS PAGER alert remained Green, indicating low expected impact.
Why it matters
Bhutan sits in one of the world's most seismically active zones along the Himalayan collision boundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates, making the entire region vulnerable to major quakes. The tremors arrive weeks after a deadly November 2025 earthquake near Dhaka that killed at least ten people, heightening regional anxiety about seismic preparedness and the vulnerability of densely built urban areas.
🔎 Ground signal
Local accounts via Bhutanese media noted Thimphu residents rushing outdoors fearing aftershocks; the shallow depth amplified perceived shaking across a wide cross-border area despite the moderate magnitude.