Thousands Flee Their Homes After Powerful Earthquake In Aceh

By Ahmad Fuad Yahya JAKARTA (Indonesia), April 12 (Bernama) -- Thousands of residents in Aceh, North and West Sumatra fled their homes in panic after a powerful earthquake measuring 8.9 magnitude (later revised to 8.6) and strong aftershocks struck off Indonesia, on Wednesday. Data from Indonesia’s Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said a number of strong aftershocks had followed after the 3.38pm earthquake. BMKG immediately issued a tsunami warning after the first earthquake with an epicenter of 10km in Simeulue, Aceh and followed by an aftershock measuring 8.5, a few seconds later. Apart from those in Aceh who moved to relief centres, residents living in Balige, Toba Samosir district in North Sumatra also ran out in panic when a strong tremor was felt at 5pm. In Padang, West Sumatra, thousands of residents who came in cars, lorries and others modes of transport gathered at the Green Bypass zone to take precautionary shelter from tsunami, after sirens were heard in the town, causing a massive traffic jam. In Bengkulu, BMKG station head Kepahiang Dadang Permana said tsunami warning was issued in Bengkulu following the strong earthquake in Aceh at 5.43pm and extended until 7.15pm. BMKG registered aftershocks at 4.28pm measuring 6.5, about 510km West of Simeulue, Aceh. In Jakarta, tsunami expert Dr Subandono Diposaptono said those living in coastal areas in Aceh can return to their respective homes there was no tsunami after two hours. "The earthquake struck about 370km from West Aceh with a depth of 10km and was expected to trigger a tsunami that can reach speeds of 400-500km per hour, at the most one hour from the time of the earthquake," said Dr Subandoro. Since the earthquake had occurred at 3.38pm, the people can go back after two hours but they should not enter their houses or be complacent for fear of aftershocks. He said a tsunami can be triggered even if a 6.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in the sea at a depth of less than 50km. -- BERNAMA