strong earthquake hits northen sumatra

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- A strong earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale hit northern Sumatera at 1.59pm today.

In a statement, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said the earthquake's epicentre was 502km southwest of Bayan Lepas, Penang and 25km southwest of Meulaboh, Acheh.

The earthquake did not pose any tsunami threat to Malaysia, it said.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami alert to residents in the area and told them to move to higher grounds.

Witnesses said that the quake lasted between four to six minutes, sending panic among the residents of Meulaboh, Acheh, and choked the streets with cars as city dwellers scampered to flee to higher grounds.

The quake was also felt in Medan, in northern Sumatra.


credit to BERNAMA