BANDA ACEH, Indonesia — A powerful earthquake hit off the coast of western Indonesia early Wednesday, prompting officials to briefly issue a tsunami warning. Panicked residents ran from their homes, some fleeing to high ground by car or motorcycle, but there were no reports of injuries or serious damage.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-7.3 quake struck 260 miles (420 kilometers) off the coast of Aceh province just after midnight. It was centered 18 miles (30 kilometers) beneath the ocean floor.
People in the provincial capital, Banda Aceh – still deeply traumatized by the 2004 monster quake and tsunami – poured into the streets as sirens blared from local mosques. Some headed to the hills, choking roads with traffic.
For warnings and updates.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/neic/
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html
