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Earthquake shakes parts of Kent Earthquake shakes parts of Kent
(20 minutes later)
An earthquake with a magnitude of at least 4.3 has shaken buildings in parts of Kent and left thousands of homes without power. An earthquake with a magnitude of at least 4.3 has shaken parts of Kent and left thousands of homes without power.
Emergency services have received reports of structural damage such as cracked walls and fallen chimneys.Emergency services have received reports of structural damage such as cracked walls and fallen chimneys.
There are also 300 "possible gas escapes" being investigated. EDF Energy said several thousand homes were without power in the Folkestone and Dover area.
The British Geological Survey said the tremor, which occurred at 0818 BST, was the largest British earthquake since the one which hit Dudley in 2002. The British Geological Survey said the tremor, which occurred at 0818 BST, was the largest British earthquake since one in Dudley, West Midlands, in 2002.
The earthquake, which lasted a few seconds, was felt as far afield as Essex, East Sussex and Suffolk.The earthquake, which lasted a few seconds, was felt as far afield as Essex, East Sussex and Suffolk.
All our street shook...the seagulls went crazy Karol Steele Witnesses' accountsAll our street shook...the seagulls went crazy Karol Steele Witnesses' accounts
EDF Energy said several thousand homes are now without power in the Folkestone and Dover area. EDF said it had despatched engineers but currently had no timetable for when power might be restored.
And Scottish and Southern Energy, which supplies gas to the area, said it was investigating 300 "possible gas escapes".And Scottish and Southern Energy, which supplies gas to the area, said it was investigating 300 "possible gas escapes".
"Obviously there is a smell about and people have been reporting it and we have to attend every single report," a spokesman."Obviously there is a smell about and people have been reporting it and we have to attend every single report," a spokesman.
"But at the moment we are not sure if it is natural gas brought up by the earthquake, which can happen, or leaks from pipes.""But at the moment we are not sure if it is natural gas brought up by the earthquake, which can happen, or leaks from pipes."
Significant tremorSignificant tremor
David Booth of the British Geological Survey said the tremor was of a sizeable magnitude.David Booth of the British Geological Survey said the tremor was of a sizeable magnitude.
"It's certainly the largest in the UK since an earthquake in Dudley in the West Midlands in 2002 and that also caused damage. So this is a very significant tremor.""It's certainly the largest in the UK since an earthquake in Dudley in the West Midlands in 2002 and that also caused damage. So this is a very significant tremor."
Dr Brian Baptie, also of the British Geological Survey, told BBC News 24 that the epicentre was (12km) south of Dover, out in the Dover Straits in the English Channel. Dr Brian Baptie, also of the British Geological Survey, told BBC News 24 that the epicentre was seven miles (12km) south of Dover, out in the English Channel.
Randy Baldwin from the US Geological Survey, which monitors earthquakes, said the tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 4.7.Randy Baldwin from the US Geological Survey, which monitors earthquakes, said the tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 4.7.
He added that the epicentre of the tremor was measured as being located 15 miles (25km) south of Canterbury and had a depth of 6.2 miles (10km).
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre's website said a tremor of 5.0 magnitude had been recorded at around 4.3 miles (7 km) south east of Ashford.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had received more than a 100 emergency calls and was having to deal with "several incidents".Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had received more than a 100 emergency calls and was having to deal with "several incidents".
Most of these were reports of structural damage, but a fire engine had also been sent to Folkestone to investigate a "smell of gas".Most of these were reports of structural damage, but a fire engine had also been sent to Folkestone to investigate a "smell of gas".
EDF said it had despatched engineers but currently had no timetable for when power might be restored. A Eurostar spokesman said everything was running normally in the Channel Tunnel.
A Eurostar spokesman said everything was "running normally" on the Channel Tunnel.
Violent shakingViolent shaking
Sharon Hayles, from Stanford near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone, said her house slid from side to side for about 10 to 15 seconds.Sharon Hayles, from Stanford near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone, said her house slid from side to side for about 10 to 15 seconds.
Another Folkestone man told BBC Five Live Breakfast that his whole house "shook quite violently".Another Folkestone man told BBC Five Live Breakfast that his whole house "shook quite violently".
Eyewitness Lorraine Muir said: "We've been evacuated by the Sally Army; we've got no gas or electricity."Eyewitness Lorraine Muir said: "We've been evacuated by the Sally Army; we've got no gas or electricity."
Paul Smye-Rumsby, who lives in Dover, said: "It was about 08.15 when suddenly the bed shook violently.Paul Smye-Rumsby, who lives in Dover, said: "It was about 08.15 when suddenly the bed shook violently.
"I thought my wife had got cramp or something but then I saw the curtains were moving and the whole house was shaking. It lasted about 1.5 seconds."I thought my wife had got cramp or something but then I saw the curtains were moving and the whole house was shaking. It lasted about 1.5 seconds.
"All the power is off and we have got the portable radio on. People are standing outside talking to each other about it.""All the power is off and we have got the portable radio on. People are standing outside talking to each other about it."
Are you in the area? Have you witnessed any of the damage caused by the tremor? Send us your experiences using the form below.
Are you in the area? Have you witnessed any of the damage caused by the tremor? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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