Hoax quake SMS creates panic in northeast

SHILLONG: An SMS circulated in the northeast triggered panic Tuesday as it warned that a major earthquake would hit the region, officials said.

"Important msg - the seismological dept for the Northeast, Shillong have announced that a major earthquake measuring 6.7 richter scale may hit northeast at around 12.57 a.m. tonight," the SMS read.

The text message also advised the people to stay outdoors during the time.

"It has created a panic in the entire region. We have recieved many calls, but the centre did not make such an annoucement," Andrew C

Lyngdoh, in-charge of the Central Seismological Observatory at Upper Shillong, told IANS.

He noted that the observatory does not predict earthquakes nor is there any technique to forecast them.

Asked if they would file a police case, Lyngdoh said that the office was yet to take a decision on the matter.

The northeastern region is considered by seismologists to be the sixth most earthquake-prone belt in the world.