A strong quake struck off the west coast of Sumatra island early on Monday, sending residents fleeing from their homes, but no damage or victims were reported immediately.

The shallow 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit at 4:06 am (2109 GMT) at a depth of 21 kilometres (13 miles), with its epicentre 167 kilometres west of the coastal city of Pariaman, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The epicentre was 197 kilometres from Padang, the capital and largest city in West Sumatra province.

"The earthquake was felt for one minute at moderate intensity as people got panic and fled their homes," said the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) in an initial report.

The tremor was followed by a series of strong aftershocks, according to the Indonesian geophysics agency.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially said that the earthquake could potentially generate a tsunami affecting the Indian Ocean region, but it soon lifted the warning.

"Based on the latest report, there is no damage and victims, but we continue monitoring. The jolt was strongly felt in the South Nias island," Agus Wibisono, Nias’ Search and Rescue office head said.

After the tsunami threat was lifted "the people calmed down," he added.

The powerful earthquake did not have the potential to cause a tsunami, the head of Indonesia's geophysics agency (BMKG) said.

BMKG chief Dwikorita Karnawati said the magnitude 6.7 quake struck was felt strongly in the city of Padang, as well as Nias Selatan and Gunung Sitoli, Reuters reported.

Source:
courtesy of THE JAKARTA POST

by Agencies

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