Aceh, an earthquake of magnitude 7.1. Tsunami warning recalled
by Mathias Hariyadi
The area was hit by the tsunami in 2004. The quake struck 420 km off the coast and at a depth of 30 km. Currently no official confirmation of casualties or serious damage to buildings. The population, still traumatized by the devastation of 2004, fled to the hills or high places in search of shelter. The earthquake was followed by aftershocks.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 struck, the Indonesian province of Aceh and North Sumatra overnight, also generating a tsunami alert, recalled after a couple of hours. The people in a panic - mindful of the devastating tsunami of December 2004 – fled into the streets and sought refuge in the higher ground. Currently there is no have official confirmation of fatalities, serious injuries or particular damage to buildings, so much so that the danger seems to have passed. However, throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning short aftershocks have followed, which have created further panic among the population.
Shortly after midnight (local time), an earthquake with an epicenter about 30 km depth under the seabed and 420 km off the coast of Aceh (Simeulue regency) forced thousands to flee their homes. Initially, the U.S. Geological Survey reported a shock of magnitude 7.6; subsequent surveys, have downsized it to 7.1 on the Richter scale.
The tsunami warning lasted a couple of hours, later recalled, but fear still dwells among the people. Their thoughts turned to December 26, 2004, when a powerful earthquake triggered giant tidal wave that caused almost 300 thousand dead across Asia, half of them in Indonesia's Aceh province alone.
Local sources report that in Banda Aceh, the sirens sounded in mosques to warn people of danger. A long line of cars and motorcycles poured into the streets in search of a safer place of refuge. "I'm scared," said Fera, a resident of the area, before jumping on board his motorcycle and taking flight together with his two children and mother.
Meanwhile, local officials and government officials confirmed that so far, there are no reports of casualties or serious damage to buildings.
Shortly after midnight (local time), an earthquake with an epicenter about 30 km depth under the seabed and 420 km off the coast of Aceh (Simeulue regency) forced thousands to flee their homes. Initially, the U.S. Geological Survey reported a shock of magnitude 7.6; subsequent surveys, have downsized it to 7.1 on the Richter scale.
The tsunami warning lasted a couple of hours, later recalled, but fear still dwells among the people. Their thoughts turned to December 26, 2004, when a powerful earthquake triggered giant tidal wave that caused almost 300 thousand dead across Asia, half of them in Indonesia's Aceh province alone.
Local sources report that in Banda Aceh, the sirens sounded in mosques to warn people of danger. A long line of cars and motorcycles poured into the streets in search of a safer place of refuge. "I'm scared," said Fera, a resident of the area, before jumping on board his motorcycle and taking flight together with his two children and mother.
Meanwhile, local officials and government officials confirmed that so far, there are no reports of casualties or serious damage to buildings.
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