DHAKA, July 27: A mild earthquake shook Bangladesh early on Sunday, sending people running out of their homes in panic, witnesses said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property, they said. The quake occurred around 12:50 am (1851 GMT Saturday).

The United States Geographic Survey estimated the magnitude of the quake at 4.9, and put the epicentre some 70 115 km north of the capital Dhaka, near Mymensingh.

Quakes have affected Bangladesh many times in recent years but most have caused no loss of life or damage.

However, more than 20 people died in a earthquake that hit the main port of Chittagong about a decade ago.—Reuters