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Have earthquakes caused deaths in Britain?

YES. Eleven people are known to have died as the result of British earthquakes. Six were killed by falling stones, two fell from upper floors, two died of shock and one committed suicide. Details are summarised below:

Date Epicentre Magnitude Number of deaths, Place, Cause
6 Apr 1580 Dover Straits >6 2, London, falling masonry
15 Jul 1757 Penzance 4.5 1, Penryn, fell out window
7 Sep 1801 Comrie 4.5 2, near Edinburgh, falling masonry
18 Sep 1833 Chichester 3 1, Cocking, falling rock
22 Apr 1884 Colchester 4.5 1, Wivenhoe, shock, (uncertain)

1, Manningtree, suicide

1 Feb 1915 Conisbrough < 3 1, Conisbrough, Falling rock
7 Jun 1931 North Sea 5.6 1, Hull, Shock?
12 Dec 1940 Porthmadog 4.7 1, Criccieth, Fell downstairs

Magnitudes are ML (Richter local magnitude); where estimated from macroseismics, in some cases, they are only given as approximate values.

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