Indonesia: A 7.3-magnitude earthquake hits Sumatra and a tsunami warning is issued

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The earthquake-sensitive island of Sumatra in Indonesia was hit by a devastating earthquake on Monday, April 4. The magnitude 7.3 quake triggered a tsunami warning from the Indonesian Geophysics Agency. The data showed that a number of aftershocks were detected later on, some of which registered about 4 degrees.

The epicenter was reported to be located off the western coast of Sumatra. Indonesia has reported frequent earthquakes due to its geographical location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active area where different plates of the Earth’s crust meet.

The tsunami warning urged local authorities to ensure that residents of the stricken area are evacuated offshore immediately. Hours later, the tsunami warning was lifted.

The quake struck around 3 a.m. local time at a depth of 84 kilometers, according to Indonesia’s geophysics agency, the Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG).

The earthquake was strongly felt in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra. Locals have been kept away from the beaches, according to BMKG spokesperson Abdul Mahari, who was reported to have been in the area.

“People left their homes, some were in a state of panic but they are under control. Some are now evacuating their homes away from the sea,” he said.

Footage broadcast by Indonesian media channels posted on social media showed some Padang residents evacuating by motorbike and on foot to higher ground.

Also watch | Indonesia earthquake: Most of the injured suffer from fractures

“On Siberut Island, people have already been evacuated. They are told to stay in the evacuation zone until the tsunami warning is lifted,” TvOne quoted a local official as saying.

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