An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale has struck near the Indonesian island of Nias, panicking residents but causing no reported casualties.
The quake hit at around 9:00 p.m. local time Thursday, the South China Morning Post reported. Residents rushed to high ground in fear that the quake could cause another tsunami or collapse buildings like the March 28 temblor that killed more than 900.
The quake's epicenter was about 212 kilometers (130 miles) from the town of Meulaboh on the Sumatra coast. The Hong Kong observatory registered it at 6.3 on the Richter scale.
The region, part of the Pacific Rim of Fire and known for its volcanic and seismic activity, has been shaken by aftershocks every day since the December tsunami.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
