6.4 Magnitude Quake Strikes Off Sumatra Coast

A powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island on Tuesday, prompting residents in Aceh province to flee their homes in panic, though no casualties or major damage were immediately reported.

The tremor, recorded by Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, originated at a depth of about 13 kilometers near the northeastern tip of Sumatra. The epicenter was located offshore, close to the conservative Islamic region of Aceh, which has long been prone to seismic activity. Authorities noted that the shaking was strongly felt on Simeulue island and along Aceh's eastern coastline, with weaker tremors reported as far as Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province. Rahmat Triyono, head of the agency's earthquake and tsunami center, described the effects as including rattling windows and doors, creaking walls, and possible minor issues like broken glassware, but emphasized that there was no risk of a tsunami.

Eyewitness accounts underscored the sudden fear among locals. In the coastal town of Sinabang, 50-year-old resident Ahmadi recounted the moment to reporters: "I was at home when it happened. The shaking was really strong. I...