Massive earthquake hits Indonesia, tsunami alert sounded in Indian Ocean
An earthquake measuring 8.7 on Richter scale hit Indonesia's Aceh province. Indonesia issues tsunami warning as powerful quake hits off west coast. The mild tremors were also felt in Indian cities of Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and several other cities on the eastern coast.
According to reports, India too has issued Tsunami warnings for Nicobar islands and east India following the earthquake.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reportedly said it was not yet known whether a tsunami had been generated, but advised authorities to "take appropriate action".
The region is regularly hit by earthquakes. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 killed 170,000 people in Aceh.
Meanwhile, the US Geological Survey, which documents quakes worldwide, reportedly said the Aceh quake was centred 33km (20 miles) under the sea about 495km from Banda Aceh.
The tsunami centre's warning said quakes of such a magnitude "have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Indian Ocean basin".
According to reports, India too has issued Tsunami warnings for Nicobar islands and east India following the earthquake.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reportedly said it was not yet known whether a tsunami had been generated, but advised authorities to "take appropriate action".
The region is regularly hit by earthquakes. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 killed 170,000 people in Aceh.
Meanwhile, the US Geological Survey, which documents quakes worldwide, reportedly said the Aceh quake was centred 33km (20 miles) under the sea about 495km from Banda Aceh.
The tsunami centre's warning said quakes of such a magnitude "have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Indian Ocean basin".