Tell-It-Like-It-Is: Tsunami Alert As Major Quake Hits Sumatra

A major earthquake has shaken the Indonesian island of Sumatra, prompting tsunami warnings and sending residents rushing for higher ground.

The quake, with a magnitude of 7.7, struck at 5:15 am (2315 BST) and was centred 125 miles northwest of Sibolga at a depth of 28.6 miles, the US Geological Surveysaid. It had earlier said the quake measured 7.8.
The Indonesia Meteorology and Geophysics Agency and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Honolulu issued tsunami warnings following the quake, but lifted them two hours later.
"So far no damage or casualties have been reported and the situation is under control," said Irwandi Yusuf, the Governor of Aceh, which was badly affected by the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, which measured 9.2.

Area prone to earthquakes

At least five strong aftershocks measuring up to 5.2 were recorded, the meteorology agency said.
The quake, which struck as people in the region were preparing for morning prayers, caused panic in North Sumatra's capital of Medan and other cities in the region. Electricity was cut in Medan and Banda Aceh, provincial capital of Aceh.
People in several cities along the southeastern coast of Sumatra, as well as Sinabang on Simeulue island and Gunung Sitoli on nearby Nias island poured into the streets and rushed to higher ground after the quake.
Eddy Effendi, who lives in Nias district of North Sumatra province, said: "They ran away on motorbikes and cars or by climbing the hills. There was panic and chaos everywhere, but I don't see serious damage or injuries in my village."
Residents in Sibolga said the shaking lasted more than a minute.