Strong quake rocks western Indonesia

Associated Press ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 03/03/2008 2:35 PM  |  National

A strong earthquake hit off western Indonesia on Monday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The 6.5-magnitude quake struck off Sumatra Island, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It was centered 145 kilometers southwest of the coastal town of Padang and 35 kilometers (21 miles) below the ocean floor.

Several powerful quakes hit the same area last week, damaging scores of houses.

Callers to local radio station el-Shinta said the temblor was felt in coastal towns, but there were no reports of damage or injuries.

Indonesia, which straddles a series of active fault lines, is prone to seismic activity. A huge earthquake along the same coast spawned the tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people in a
number of countries in December 2004.(**)

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