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Last Updated: Sunday, 10 April, 2005, 12:47 GMT 13:47 UK 
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Sumatra shaken by new earthquake
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The epicentre of the quake, which had an estimated magnitude of 6.7, was about 120km (75 miles) south-west of the city of Padang, officials said. There were no immediate reports of damage, but some sought higher ground. The latest tremor revived fears of a repeat of the 26 December tsunami disaster, which killed an estimated 300,000 people in a dozen countries. Two-thirds of the deaths occurred in Indonesia. Tremor warnings The latest tremor was felt as far away as Singapore. Many people were reported to have fled their homes in Padang, after a radio broadcast by the city mayor Fauzi Bahar. Scientists have warned that the Indian Ocean faultline could deliver another major earthquake and tremors have been felt in the area almost continually since the 9.3-magnitude jolt that unleashed the 26 December tsunami. Two weeks ago, an aftershock from that earthquake killed more than 600 people on the Indonesian island of Nias. On that occasion, rapid response plans put in place after the 26 December disaster were activated promptly. An integrated tsunami warning system for the region will not be ready until the end of next year, but most countries have a contingency plan. |
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