Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 strikes off Indonesia

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Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 strikes off Indonesia

Jakarta - It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

By AFP

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Published: Tue 23 Jan 2018, 10:03 AM

Last updated: Tue 23 Jan 2018, 11:42 PM

A strong quake rattled Indonesia on Tuesday, sparking panic in the capital Jakarta.
Office workers rushed outside as highrises began swaying, while riders were thrown off their motorbikes by the force of the 6.0 magnitude rumble.
It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.
"I was sitting when the building suddenly started shaking," said Jakarta department store worker Suji, 35, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. "I ran outside the building. It was quite strong and I was afraid."
The United States Geological Survey said the 6.0 magnitude quake struck at a depth of 43 kilometres.
There was no warning of any tsunami. The epicentre was off the coast, about 130 kilometres southwest of Jakarta, a sprawling city of more than 10 million people.
"The epicentre is in an area prone to quakes. More aftershocks are very likely," Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics agency chief Dwikorita Karnawati told Metro TV.
"I'm calling on people to be prepared, especially if you are in buildings with a weak structure," he added.
The tremor came as US Defense Secretary James Mattis was in Jakarta for an official visit.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates meet, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.


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