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6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Aceh at 2:37 p.m. local time on Tuesday, killing at least seven people and injuring hundreds more.

The quake did not have the potential to cause a tsunami, according to the head of Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Banda Aceh.

The epicenter of the quake was located 35 kilometers southwest of Bener Meriah regency at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Bener Meriah is a mountainous area situated between 1,000 and 1,500 meters above sea level,

At around 8:55 p.m. another quake hit Aceh.

Tuntungan Medan BMKG head Rifwar Kamin said the quake was caused by the shifting Semangko Plate.

Hundreds of homes and public facilities were also reportedly damaged. '€œThe earthquakes felt so strong and caused panic. Some roads were cracked and this situation has reduced accessibility,'€ said Mahyadi, a Bener Meriah resident.

As of Tuesday evening, rescuers were still trying to evacuate residents trapped inside their houses or other buildings.

'€œThree children died at puskesmas [community health center] Panteraya Weh Peusam after the roof fell onto them,'€ said Zahrul, another villager.

The Aceh Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), however, reported that so far one villager died in the disaster.

Aceh BNPB head Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said the number of casualties and fatalities might increase.

Besides damaging houses and roads, the quake also caused blackouts and disrupted telecom-munications.

'€œIt'€™s pitch black now in Bener Meriah as the electricity is cut off. We cannot even use communication devices,'€ said Mahyadi

The quake also caused panic among officials attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Third Senior Officials'€™ Meeting (SOM III) at the Grand Aston City Hall Hotel in Medan, the capital of neighboring North Sumatra.

The officials were evacuated from the meeting room to the hotel'€™s front yard by security guards. No casualties were reported in Medan.