Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore has confirmed that he was caught in the magnitude 4.8 earthquake that hit New York City, surrounding suburbs, and New Jersey on Friday morning.
He tweeted, “Just experienced an Earthquake in New Jersey!”
This comes a few days after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan, king at least nine people injuring over 1,000 others.
“I was in a 4.8-magnitude earthquake that just ripped through my area in New Jersey. My family and I are safe!”
The United States Geological Survey had said the magnitude-4.8 quake’s epicentre was just north-east of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.
A UN Security Council meeting on Gaza at its New York headquarters was temporarily paused due to the tremor.
“Is that an earthquake?” said Save the Children representative Janti Soeripto, who was speaking at the time.
Buildings were shaken in Brooklyn, rattling cupboard doors and fixtures,
The earthquake hit at around 10:20 local time (15:20 GMT). There are no reports of major damage.
Social media users reported feeling the earthquake from Philadelphia up to New York and eastward along the coast.
