Six taken to hospital after Sumatra quake

An earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale shook Indonesia’s Sumatra and adjoining smaller islands today.

At least six people, one of whom was critically injured, were taken to hospital on Simeulue island after their homes collapsed.

Indonesia’s Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said the earthquake would have “at least caused cracks in many buildings and houses, especially in areas closest to the epicentre”.

Abdul Karim, a government spokesman in Simeulue, said dozens of houses collapsed or were damaged in Teupah Selatan village.

The meteorology agency said a minor tsunami about 40cm high affected several smaller islands.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the country had escaped what could have been a disaster.