SINGAPORE: A magnitude 8.7 earthquake has struck off the West coast of Northern Sumatra and a tsunami warning is in place, said Indonesia’s Geophysical agency. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake was centred 434 kilometre Southwest of Banda Aceh, at a depth of 33 km. Banda Aceh is the largest city in the province of Aceh, Indonesia, on the island of Sumatra.
People are reporting that the quake shook major Indian cities, causing panic and sending people fleeing onto the streets. Office buildings wore a deserted look as employees were taking precautions by hanging around on the streets.
There is an Indian Ocean-wide tsunami watch in effect, said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre. India’s tsunami warning center said waves measuring up to 6 metres were expected along parts of its eastern coast, which was heavily hit by the 2004 tsunami.
Smaller waves were expected to hit the remote Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Tremors from the quake have been felt in Singapore, Thailand and Southern India, as witnessed by news reporters.
The quake is in a similar area to one which struck on Boxing Day, 2004, killing around 250,000 people. That quake had a magnitude of 9.1 and was 30 km deep.
India has issued a tsunami warning for its eastern coast.
Also tsunami warning has been issued in 28 nations.
© Reuters News