Front Page; Star (07/03/07)

Earthquake hits Sumatra

Two strong earthquakes which hit southern Sumatra sent tremors through the west coast states of Peninsular Malaysia. The Malaysian Meteorological Department however assured the people that there was a “very slim” possibility of a tsunami.

Tremors felt on the west coast

PETALING JAYA: A 6.3 magnitude earthquake which hit the island of southern Sumatra sent tremors through the west coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.

Incidences of people fleeing shaking buildings were reported in the Klang Valley, Seremban, Malacca, Johor as well as in Singapore.

A Malaysian Meteorological Department officer however assured the people that there was a “very slim” possibility of a tsunami because the quake occurred inland at 71km north-east of Padang in Sumatra. The epicentre of the quake was 324km south-east of Malacca.

According to the United States Geological Survey website (www. earthquake.usgs.gov), the first earthquake of 6.3 magnitude happened at 11.49am yesterday.

About two hours later, an aftershock measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale rocked the island again, sending panicking residents who fear an impending tsunami scrambling to safety.

At 4.50pm, another quake of 4.4 magnitude struck close to the epicentre of the first quake.As at press time, at least 70 people including schoolchildren in Sumatra were killed by the earthquake, which flattened hundreds of buildings.

According to an Associated Press report, hospitals in Sumatra were overwhelmed by the injured, including those who were trapped inside a crowded state bank when the quake occurred.

Meanwhile, Bernama reports that all 112 Malaysian students at Andalas University in Padang have been confirmed safe.

Director of the Malaysian Students Department in Indonesia Dr Junaidi Abu Bakar told the news agency that the students had been told to gather at the Padang Hospital should a disaster strike.

“A Malaysian Consul official in Medan is in Padang and he is handling the students at the hospital,” he said.

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Note; source The Star Online