Strong earthquake off coast of Sumatra

A strong earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Sumatra island today, causing people to flee their homes, the state news agency said. There were no reports of damage or injuries.

The 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck at 6.29pm local time (12.29pm Irish time) about 230 miles off Sumatra’s west coast, the Antara news agency said.

The US Geological Survey and the Hong Kong Observatory, however, said the quake had magnitude of 5.8. It struck about 70 miles south-south-west of Padang city, the USGS said on its website.

Antara said the earthquake caused no damage but prompted people in the region to run from their homes.