Hanoi residents were unnerved as high-rise buildings were shaken by aftershocks from a 5.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the northern province of Cao Bang.

Hanoi shakes as earthquake hits Northern province of Cao Bang. Photo: Internet

Many areas near Hoan Kiem lake, Cau Giay and Ha Dong district in the capital city of Hanoi on November 25 morning experienced aftershocks following an earthquake in the northern province of Cao Bang, local media reported.

Hanoi residents were unnerved as high-rise buildings were shaken by aftershocks from a 5.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Trung Khanh district in Cao Bang province, which is about 300 km away from the capital city.

According to the Institute of Geophysics, the earthquake occurred at 8:18 am today, at the position of 22.852 degrees north latitude, 106.618 degrees east longitude and at a depth of about 14 kilometers.

The tremor shook furniture, windows, cups and glasses on the tables inside houses and buildings.

Vu Ha Son, an employee working on the 15th floor of an office building in Thanh Xuan district, felt that the office’s windows and furniture in the room vibrated slightly.

Nguyen Lien Huong, who lives in a residential area in Phu Lam ward, Ha Dong district, said she felt a noticeable vibration and saw the curtains swing, light bulbs and other items tremble.

“I felt a bit frightened. But fortunately, it was trembling for a very short time and then ended,” Huong said.

Director of the Institute of Geophysics Nguyen Xuan Anh said that the earthquake was moderately intense, causing aftershocks to the surrounding areas, and people in high-rise buildings in Hanoi and Hai Phong could feel.

However, the aftershocks were not strong and people should not worry, Anh added.

Earlier, on November 21, capital city of Hanoi experienced tremors which unsettled the residents. The Institute of Geophysics determined that the tremors possibly resulted from a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hitting northwestern Laos near the border with Thailand. Hanoi is about 500km away from the epicenter and slightly affected by the tremor.