Earthquake interrupts ceremony in Kupang

KUPANG: A magnitude 5.5 earthquake shook Kupang on Monday, interrupting the swearing-in ceremony for the new regency legislative council speaker.

The epicenter of the quake was 19 kilometers southeast of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, and 10 kilometers underground.

Regency legislators, guests and employees quickly rushed out of the council building.

Kupang Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) spokesman Margiono said the earthquake had not caused any tsunamis.

"We'll continue monitoring for potential aftershocks," he said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. -JP