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Earthquake hits Hollywood as stars gather for Oscars afterparty

Christal Hayes
BBC News, Los Angeles
Getty Images Hollywood signGetty Images

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake has hit Hollywood as some of the globe's top stars began celebrating after the Oscars.

The earthquake's epicentre was measured in North Hollywood, just miles from where the awards ceremony was hosted at the Dolby Theatre.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The quake struck shortly after 22:00 local time as celebrities were gathering at the popular Vanity Fair afterparty.

Those in the area reported a sudden jolt of energy, with some screaming and seeing high-rise buildings wobbling like jelly.

The US Geological Survey (USGS), which tracks such events, said the earthquake was felt miles across Los Angeles.

There was no tsunami alert issued as a result of the relatively minor earthquake.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said that the earthquake was felt across downtown Los Angeles but the agency was not entering into "Earthquake Mode" over the incident.

For stronger earthquakes, first responders and officials do assessments of the area to ensure there is no structural damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Getty Images Stars arrive on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair afterparty Getty Images

The quake is among about 40 that have hit Southern California since the start of March - though nearly all of these were magnitude 1 earthquakes that aren't typically felt by residents, according to USGS data reviewed by the BBC.

Last month, there was a magnitude 3.7 earthquake that struck the nearby Malibu area. In December, a strong magnitude 7 earthquake jolted northern California and caused a short tsunami alert for those in northern California and southern Oregon.

BBC correspondents covering the Academy Awards in the heart of Hollywood reported fierce shaking and even some screams as the sudden jolt scared visitors. To some, it sounded like a bomb went off with the rumble.

One resident called it the biggest earthquake she'd felt and was surprised it was only a magnitude 3.9. "I felt that in my bones," she remarked.

The BBC's Emma Vardy said she was retouching her makeup for some final Oscars filming when the quake struck. Her diamond earrings wobbled in the mirror and she realized the high-rise she was in was shaking.

"I have felt a lot of quakes over the past two years in Los Angeles but currently, I am on the 15th floor of our media centre in Hollywood," she remarked. "Feeling a building of that size move around like jelly is quite an experience."

Sam Granville and Emma Vardy contributed to this report.