5.3 magnitude earthquake hits 181 km from Indonesia; Brief tsunami warnings sent to coastal areas

New Delhi, May 6: A strong 5.3 magnitude earthquake has rocked a location close to Bengkulu, Indonesia triggering a brief tsunami warning that sent panicked residents fleeing to higher ground. The temblor site is reportedly 181 kms from Bengkulu.

 

Three light to moderate aftershocks occurred in the same area following the initial quake on Monday according to USGS reports. It has warned as considerable damage was possible in poorly built or badly designed structures.

 

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s disaster agency has issued a tsunami warning for coastal communities in the nearby districts, where residents are advised to move away from the coast.

Indonesia in December 2018 had witnessed a major volcano-triggered tsunami killing 281 people where over more than 1000 were injured. Also last September, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 with a thousand more declared missing.