EXPRESS An earthquake has hit southwest France

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A quake registering 5.2 on the Richter scale struck the southwest of France near the towns of La Rochelle and Rochefort in the region of Charente-Maritime. Witnesses have described feeling two strong tremors lasting several seconds. Buildings, including industrial sites and schools in La Rochelle, have been evacuated.

GOOGLE The earthquake took place in Charente-Maritime in southwest France

A student at a school in La Rochelle said: “Our walls moved, our computers too.” Another witness from La Rochelle told Sud-Ouest: “I was in bed sleeping when I felt strong tremors. “To begin with I thought it was building work and then I realised it was an earthquake. “It didn’t last long but it was quite strong and I was scared.”

It didn’t last long but it was quite strong and I was scared

A witness at La Rochelle’s port said: “The whole warehouse shook for several seconds, there was a loud noise of metal vibrating. “We first thought a lorry had crashed into one of the docks. It was short but very intense and worrying.” Locals also described objects falling off shelves and pieces of plaster coming off ceilings. The epicentre of the earthquake was 8km south of coastal city La Rochelle, which has a population of just over 75,000.

GETTY The earthquake was felt by residents in La Rochelle

The earthquake occurred at around 8.45am local time at a depth of 21km, according to the French newspaper Sud-Ouest. A statement from Charente-Maritime police said: “A strong tremor was felt at 8.46am this morning. “According to the information we have received, this was caused by an earthquake of a 5.2 magnitude whose epicentre was between La Rochelle and Rochefort.”

No casualties have been reported and the earthquake has only caused superficial damage. Charente-Maritime is known for its seismic activity around the coast near the island île d’Oléron, according to earthquake expert Sophie Lambotte.

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