Quake hits tsunami devastated Aceh

A strong earthquake struck Indonesia’s tsunami-ravaged Aceh province today, swaying buildings and causing some panicky residents to flee their homes.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The 6.2-magnitude tremor struck around 8:27 pm (13.27 Irish Time), and was centred beneath the Indian Ocean floor, 66 miles south-west of the provincial capital of Banda Aceh.

The shaking, which lasted less than five seconds, was felt across a wide swathe of Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra island.

Some people in Banda Aceh briefly ran out of their homes until the tremors subsided.

Aftershocks have hit the region frequently since the St Stephen's Day quake and tsunami killed more than 160,000 people in 11 Indian Ocean nations. Most of the victims were in Aceh province, closest to the epicentre.

A magnitude 6 quake can cause widespread damage if it is centred in a densely populated area.