International NEWS
Strong Quake Hits Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, Tsunami Alert Sounded
April 7, 2010 Visionmp.com news service
An earthquake measuring 7.7 on Richter scale has hit Indonesia’s northwest island of Sumatra, said media reports.
Soon, tsunami alert was sounded off in the area as citizens ran away for higher ground, reports said.
However, there is no report of casualty or damage in the quake as yet, said reports.
The US Geological Survey said that the quake occurred at 5:15 am (2215 GMT) with its epicenter being located 125 miles (205 km) northwest of Sibolga in Sumatra at a depth of 28.6 miles (46 km), reports said.
“So far no damage or casualties have been reported and the situation is under control,” Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf was quoted as saying.
At least five strong aftershocks measuring upto 5.2 were reported by the meteorology agency, said reports.
The earthquake set off panic among people, who were preparing themselves for morning prayers in North Sumatra’s capital at the time strong tremors were experienced, said reports.
The strong quake disrupted electricity in Medan and Banda Aceh, provincial capital of Aceh, said reports.
After a brief tsunami warning, people in many cities along the southeastern coast of Sumatra as well as Sinabang on Simeulue island and Gunung Sitoli on nearby Nias island came out into the streets and ran for higher grounds, reports said.
“Rumors about a tsunami panicked villagers living near the beach. They ran away on motorbikes and cars or by climbing the hills. There was panic and chaos everywhere, but I don’t see serious damage or injuries in my village,” Eddy Effendi, a resident in Nias district of North Sumatra province, was quoted as saying.
Residents in Sibolga said that tremors were felt for over a minute and utility poles in the area were uprooted, said reports.
In 2004, the region had experienced a tsunami triggered by a magnitude-9.2 earthquake.
(Based on internet reports)
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