7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia, Tsunami alert issued

Bali : An earthquake of 7.6 magnitude has been recorded on the Richter scale at 112 km north of Maumere in Indonesia.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake hit at a depth of 18.5 kilometers under the sea, and was located 112 kilometers north of the town of Maumere, the second-largest on the island in East Nusa Tenggara province with a population of 85,000.

Initially, Tsumani alert was sounded by the authorities, but it was later lifted hours after the quake.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said residents in the area felt the earthquake strongly. TV footage showed people running away from buildings that shook from the impact.

The chief of Flores Timur district, Anton Hayon, said no damage was reported.

“We asked people in the coastal areas to get away from the beach lines, especially in the northern side … as there was a big tsunami there back in 1972,” Hayon said.