Minutes after a 1.7 magnitude earthquake struck New York City early Tuesday morning, 60 fire and medical personnel were called to reports of an explosion.
In the early morning hours, several people posted questions online about explosions on Roosevelt Island. Residents in the island enclave were baffled by the loud noises, shuddering buildings, and sudden loss of power.
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“Anyone else feel an earthquake or explosion-like feeling in New York City a few moments ago?” one person asked.
Another social media user described the scene: “Just heard a loud thump explosion-like sound in Roosevelt Island, there are 4 choppers above the sky seem to be monitoring the area.”
First responders went to the area to check whether buildings were at further risk as residents came outside to see what was happening, according to ABC 4, a local outlet.
Immediately following the quake and explosions, some buildings south of the Roosevelt Island Bridge and Tram experienced power outages.
The New York City Fire Department has since turned the incident over to Con Edison, New York’s largest utility company.
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According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was in Astoria, which is located in the borough of Queens. During a press briefing on the earthquake, Mayor Eric Adams said he didn’t feel it.
Earthquakes in the New York City area are uncommon but not unprecedented. The last tremor to hit the region occurred in New Jersey and the Yonkers area last May, which registered as a magnitude 2.2 quake.
