Earthquakes hit India's Nicobar Islands

NEW DELHI, April 1 (Xinhua) -- A string of 17 earthquakes ranging from light to moderate levels hit India's Nicobar islands in over six hours Monday morning, officials said.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the earthquakes measuring from 4.2 to 5.2 magnitude occurred from 5:14 a.m. to 11:22 a.m. local time.

"The epicenter of earthquake was located at 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, and 7.7 degrees north latitude and 94.1, 94.2, 94.3, 94.4 and 94.6 degrees east longitude," information released by the Indian Meteorological Department said. "The depth of the each earthquake was 10 km."

The Nicobar islands are an archipelagic island chain in the eastern Indian Ocean, located at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

So far there were no reports of any damage or loss of lives in these earthquakes.

The first tremor of 4.9 magnitude hit at 5:14 a.m. local time, while the last jolt of 4.9-magnitude was recorded at 11:22 a.m. local time.

The 5.2-magnitude quake was recorded at 6:54 a.m. local time.

In 2015 a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck India's neighbouring country Nepal, causing massive destruction, killing over 5,000 people and injuring another 8,000.