4.2-magnitude quake sparks panic in Padang

PADANG, West Sumatra: A brief earthquake caused panic among residents in Padang, West Sumatra, where they rushed out of their homes and on to the street. Students and teachers in schools also fled their classrooms in panic. Schools allowed students to return home immediately.

The quake lasted only briefly, but was strongly felt and caused cracking sounds in buildings. At SMP 31 state junior high school on Jl. Andalas, students jostled to rush out of their classrooms.

The quake was also felt as far away as Tuapejat on Sipora Island.

Padang Panjang Meteorology and Geophysical Agency analyst Syansir said the quake, which took place at 10:11 a.m. local time, was a terrestrial quake centered on the border between Padang and Solok regency, some seven kilometers northwest of Padang.

“People need not panic because the quake would not trigger a tsunami,” Syamsir told The Jakarta Post. — JP