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| Powerful quake shakes Indonesia | Powerful quake shakes Indonesia |
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| A powerful earthquake and several aftershocks have struck off the western Indonesian island of Sumatra, sparking fears of a tsunami. | A powerful earthquake and several aftershocks have struck off the western Indonesian island of Sumatra, sparking fears of a tsunami. |
| Tsunami alerts were issued for several nations in the Indian Ocean, though some have now been lifted. | Tsunami alerts were issued for several nations in the Indian Ocean, though some have now been lifted. |
| Buildings collapsed on the west coast of Sumatra. Hospitals are on alert in case there are significant casualties. | |
| A massive undersea earthquake sparked a tsunami that killed more than 220,000 people in December 2004. | A massive undersea earthquake sparked a tsunami that killed more than 220,000 people in December 2004. |
| The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued an alert for the entire Indian Ocean region following Wednesday's main quake, which the US Geological Survey said measured 8.2. | The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued an alert for the entire Indian Ocean region following Wednesday's main quake, which the US Geological Survey said measured 8.2. |
| Danger eases | Danger eases |
| Besides Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and a number of small islands were put on alert. Kenya, on the western rim of the ocean, also raised the alarm. | Besides Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and a number of small islands were put on alert. Kenya, on the western rim of the ocean, also raised the alarm. |
| There were unconfirmed reports of a small tsunami - estimated at 1-3m (3-10ft) hitting the Sumatran coast - but not causing major damage. | There were unconfirmed reports of a small tsunami - estimated at 1-3m (3-10ft) hitting the Sumatran coast - but not causing major damage. |
| But about two hours after the quake, Indonesia's meteorology agency said the danger of a serious tsunami had passed, and Sri Lanka and India also dropped their alerts. | But about two hours after the quake, Indonesia's meteorology agency said the danger of a serious tsunami had passed, and Sri Lanka and India also dropped their alerts. |
| Wednesday's main earthquake struck at 1810 (1110 GMT), about 30km (18 miles) under the sea, some 130km (80 miles) south-west of the city of Bengkulu, the US Geological Survey said. | Wednesday's main earthquake struck at 1810 (1110 GMT), about 30km (18 miles) under the sea, some 130km (80 miles) south-west of the city of Bengkulu, the US Geological Survey said. |
| Local media said buildings had collapsed in Padang, the capital of the province of West Sumatra, and in the town of Mukomuko. | Local media said buildings had collapsed in Padang, the capital of the province of West Sumatra, and in the town of Mukomuko. |
| There were also reports of inhabitants fleeing swaying buildings in the capital Jakarta, 600km (370 miles) away, and in Singapore. | There were also reports of inhabitants fleeing swaying buildings in the capital Jakarta, 600km (370 miles) away, and in Singapore. |
| "You could see the road as if it was waving, people could hardly walk so they just lay flat on the road. I could also feel the earth I was standing on was like the sea," Zulkifli Lubis, a local journalist in Bengkulu, told the BBC. | "You could see the road as if it was waving, people could hardly walk so they just lay flat on the road. I could also feel the earth I was standing on was like the sea," Zulkifli Lubis, a local journalist in Bengkulu, told the BBC. |
| Damage | Damage |
| Officials said it was very difficult to get clear communications with the area to make damage assessments. | Officials said it was very difficult to get clear communications with the area to make damage assessments. |
| Animated guide: Earthquakes Deadly history of quakes | Animated guide: Earthquakes Deadly history of quakes |
| They are sending disaster teams from the capital Jakarta, fearing that there may be significant casualties, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta. | They are sending disaster teams from the capital Jakarta, fearing that there may be significant casualties, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta. |
| Officials said at least two people had died and dozens were injured. | |
| But as it is dark, and many of the stricken areas are be remote, it may take some time to find out how bad the situation is. | But as it is dark, and many of the stricken areas are be remote, it may take some time to find out how bad the situation is. |
| "At least one person died when he was hit by a falling tree when they were evacuating after the quake," Salamun Haris, an official from North Bengkulu district, told ElShinta radio. | "At least one person died when he was hit by a falling tree when they were evacuating after the quake," Salamun Haris, an official from North Bengkulu district, told ElShinta radio. |
| "Dozens of people were injured in damaged buildings" across the district, he said, and hospitals were clearing wards in anticipation of receiving casualties. | "Dozens of people were injured in damaged buildings" across the district, he said, and hospitals were clearing wards in anticipation of receiving casualties. |
| Fearful memories | Fearful memories |
| This was one of the most powerful earthquakes in Indonesia since the one which caused the Asian tsunami in 2004. | This was one of the most powerful earthquakes in Indonesia since the one which caused the Asian tsunami in 2004. |
| That measured 8.9 and struck under the sea near the northern Sumatran province of Aceh, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 220,000 people around the rim of the Indian Ocean. | That measured 8.9 and struck under the sea near the northern Sumatran province of Aceh, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 220,000 people around the rim of the Indian Ocean. |
| Our correspondent says quakes on this scale are rare and memories of 2004 have made the country terrified of a repeat. | Our correspondent says quakes on this scale are rare and memories of 2004 have made the country terrified of a repeat. |
| Indonesia, part of the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire", is frequently shaken by earth tremors. | Indonesia, part of the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire", is frequently shaken by earth tremors. |
| Are you in the area affected by the earthquake? Send us your comments using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. Do not endanger yourself or others when taking pictures. | Are you in the area affected by the earthquake? Send us your comments using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. Do not endanger yourself or others when taking pictures. |
| Find out more about how to send your pictures | Find out more about how to send your pictures |