6.5 magnitude Earthquake hits Indonesia, panic prevails

Padang: A 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit off the Sumatra island in Indonesia, at early morning, on Thursday. Although, no casualty reported, the earthquake created panic causing people to run out of their homes.

The reports:

• US Geological Survey reported that the quake happened at 5.56 am local time (2256 GMT Wednesday), and struck at a depth of 50 kilometres.
• The epicentre of the quake was about 90 miles (140 kilometers) away from Padang.

No Tsunami warning was issued:

• “The quake did not have the potential to cause a tsunami,” stated Wandono, a senior official from Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.
• "So far we have not received any reports of damage,” the official further added.
• Wandono also informed that Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, where tectonic plates collide.