HARARE, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- A 5.5-magnitude earthquake rattled eastern Zimbabwe and neighboring Mozambique on Saturday morning, leaving villagers in panic.

According to China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), the earthquake occurred at 07:37 local time (GMT+2).

The epicenter was near the border of Zimbabwe with Mozambique, 200 km from capital Harare, or 50 km from Zimbabwe's southeastern town of Chipinge, Manicaland Province.

With tremors felt as far as Mutare, Masvingo and Harare, the earthquake has left villagers scared and in panic as less strong rural buildings were destroyed, state media Zimbabwean Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) reported.

The tremors affected at least 40 homesteads, destroying less strong buildings and granaries, and leaving cracks on some houses in the Beacon area of Chipinge, which is less than 2 km from the border with Mozambique, a witness told ZBC.

Meteorological Service Department of Zimbabwe spokesperson Rich Zinyemba said they are still investigating the effects of the earthquake.

Manicaland Province is a seismically active region as evidenced by many moderate to large earthquakes occurring every year.

Zinyemba said most earthquakes that occur in the region are due to natural plate tectonics and this is attributed to the East African rift system which extends to Mozambique.