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TV grab from Metro TV shows Acehnese people using their vehicles to get to higher places in Banda Aceh following a strong earthquake that hit Sumatra island. A huge earthquake off the coast of Indonesia triggered tsunami alerts across Asia, causing widespread panic in countries where over 270,000 people were killed by giant waves just three months ago.(AFP/Metro TV)

Acehnese cram onto a scooter and cart as they drive to higher ground following an earthquake, Tuesday, March 29, 2005, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. A major earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra Island late Monday, and officials warned that a tsunami could strike the area. Residents of Banda Aceh fled their homes in panic. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)

Residents are seen to flock into the streets in this image from television in the town of Hadyai, Thailand after an earthquake was felt throughout the region late Monday March 28 2005. The magnitude 8.7 quake centred on the Indonesian island of Sumatra at 11.09 pm local time raised terror and tsunami warnings throughout a region still devastated by the Dec 26 tsunami of similar size which claimed more than 174,000 lives. (AP Photo/ Chanel 7)

Acehnese walk down a street in Banda Aceh after evacuating their homes when a massive earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia March 29, 2005. A massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra on Monday close to where a quake triggered a tsunami that left nearly 300,000 people dead or missing across Asia, residents and officials said. REUTERS/Tarmizy Harva

Acehnese sit at Baiturrahman Great Mosque in Banda Aceh after evacuating their homes when a massive earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia March 29, 2005. A massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra on Monday close to where a quake triggered a tsunami that left nearly 300,000 people dead or missing across Asia, residents and officials said. REUTERS/Tarmizy Harva

An employee at the Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics' office in Jakarta points to a computer monitor showing a graph of the 8.7 magnitude earthquake off the main island of Sumatra March 29, 2005. A massive earthquake killed dozens of people and destroyed hundreds of homes in the main town of Indonesia's Nias island on Monday evening, a local government official an Indonesian television station. REUTERS/Dadang Tri

Indonesian VP: Quake May Kill Up to 2,000

By MICHAEL CASEY, Associated Press Writer

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia - A powerful earthquake struck off Indonesia's west coast late Monday, killing hundreds of people whose homes collapsed on them and spreading panic across the Indian Ocean that another killer tsunami was on the way. Indonesia's vice president predicted up to 2,000 deaths.

But fears of a second tsunami catastrophe in just over three months eased within hours, as officials in countries at risk reported their coasts clear of the type of quake-spawned waves that ravaged a dozen countries in Asia and Africa on Dec. 26.

Almost all the deaths reported in the hours immediately after Monday's quake were on Indonesia's Nias island, off Sumatra's west coast, which was close to the epicenter.

"It is predicted — and it's still a rough estimate — that the number the victim of dead may be between 1,000 and 2,000, Vice President Jusuf Kalla told the el-Shinta radio station. He said the estimate was based on an assessment of damage to buildings, not bodies counted.

An aerial view of the island of Nias, off the west coast of Sumatra, is seen in this August 2, 2001 file photo after it was damaged by heavy floods. A massive earthquake has badly damaged up to three quarters of the main town on Indonesia's Nias island, a police official told Reuters. Police official Raja Gukguk said authorities were trying to determine the extent of casualties following the 8.7 magnitude earthquake on Gunungsitoli town on March 28, 2005. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside/Files