Earthquake shakes Sumatra Island

A 6.9 magnitude undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Sumatra Island today, triggering panic in several cities. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Budi Waluyo, from the meteorological and geophysical agency, said it was unlikely the quake would trigger a tsunami given its strength and the fact it occurred relatively close to the earth’s surface.

The tremor was centred 50 kilometers southwest of the city of Padang on west Sumatra, he said. It struck at 12.05 local time (05.05 Irish time), he said.

Media reports said that frightened residents ran from their houses in several cities on the island.