A research institute in Chengdu, China, issued an apology on Monday after initially reporting a higher magnitude for an earthquake, which resulted in widespread panic among residents, according to Reuters.
The China Earthquake Networks Center confirmed that a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the city of Yibin in Sichuan province at 8:26 AM local time (03:26 AM in Romania).
However, Care-Life Institute, a disaster prevention laboratory based in Chengdu, released an earthquake alert claiming a magnitude of 7.7 just five seconds after the quake occurred.
In response to the significant discrepancy, the institute adjusted its estimation downward shortly after the event – first to 6.4 within six seconds, then to 3.7 in the seventh second, followed by 4.1 in the eighth second and finally to 3.9 within sixteen seconds.
Care-Life Institute announced that it will investigate the cause of this error promptly to enhance its future services.
The false alert led to panic among many users, reported the state newspaper Global Times.
