Strong Earthquake Hits Indonesian Waters
A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake
struck off Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province Saturday, but there
were no immediate reports of damage and no tsunami warning was issued,
officials said.
The quake struck at 1:04 pm, 195
kilometers southwest of Waingapu in East Nusa Tenggara
province at a depth of 30 kilometers, the meteorology and
geophysics agency said.
"People were rushing out
of their houses and buildings when the quake was shaking everything for
a few seconds," said a local police officer, Brig. Saikhun.
To the east on Sumba island, a
power pole fell into a crowded market in the town of Waingapu, local
resident Nelson Butarbutar said. People scurried out of the way and no
one was hurt.
"The strong quake has sparked panic among people here," Butarbutar said. "I saw utility poles shaking; one of them fell down.
"Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity.
A 7.6-magnitude quake that struck Sumatra island on September 30 killed more than 1,000 people.
Agence France-Presse, AP
