World
Powerful 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes off Indonesia
A powerful earthquake hit eastern Indonesia on Wednesday evening, as ‘screaming’ islanders fled from their homes.
The quake measured a magnitude of 6.9 and struck in the Banda Sea, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said.
The earthquake happened at a depth 73 miles in the sea, and 128 miles northwest of the nearest city, Saumlaki, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake was not powerful enough to trigger a tsunami in the Indian Ocean region, the Indonesia Tsunami Service Provider said. It caused moderate shaking with no injuries or economic losses.
Indonesia, home to 260million people, is located in the so-called Ring of Fire, meaning it is often hit by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.
