Strong 7.5-magnitude quake hits Sumatra | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Strong 7.5-magnitude quake hits Sumatra

AFP | By, Jakarta
Feb 20, 2008 08:54 PM IST

A strong 7.5-magnitude quake struck Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, sparking a local tsunami alert and triggering panic, US meteorologists and residents said.

A strong 7.5-magnitude quake struck Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, sparking a local tsunami alert and triggering panic, US meteorologists and residents said.

HT Image
HT Image

The US Geological Survey said the undersea quake struck at 3:08 pm (1338 IST) some 312 kilometres (194 miles) west-southwest of the North Sumatra capital Medan, at a depth of 34 kilometres.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Indonesia's meteorological agency, which put the magnitude of the quake at 6.6, said it struck 42 kilometres northwest of the town of Sinabang, the main town on Simeulue island, in Aceh province.

A 5.5-magnitude aftershock hit shortly afterwards, it said.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a local watch bulletin, saying there was no threat of a "destructive widespread tsunami" but that a local tsunami could affect coastal areas within a 100-kilometre radius.

Jakarta telephone operators could not immediately put through calls to the island.

The meteorology office's Suharjono told ElShinta radio that there were no immediate reports of damage from the quake.

However, he said, "the possibility of damage is there... in Sinabang, the possibility of damage exists."

An AFP correspondent in the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh said the quake was felt there for about two minutes.

People initially ran outside in panic, but quickly calmed down, the reporter said.

Elshinta radio also quoted listeners as saying panic had hit the population in North Sumatra's capital of Medan, where people also rushed out of buildings.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On