JAKARTA, Jun 17 (NNN-ANTARA) – A 6.1-magnitude earthquake triggered a small tsunami, damaged scores of houses and forced dozens of people to flee their homes, in Maluku province’s island of Seram in Indonesia yesterday, an official said.
A video footage showed sea waters with height of less than one metre entered coastal areas in Maluku Tengah district, triggering panic among residents.
Several houses were destroyed and residents fled homes to safer grounds, Sais Salong, secretary of the provincial disaster management agency, said.
However, there were no immediate reports of casualties after the earthquake, he said.
A risk assessment on the impacts of the small tsunami and the jolts of the quake has been undertaken by the disaster agency officials, he added.
The quake hit at 11:43 a.m. Jakarta time (0443 GMT) with the epicentre at 67 km south-east of Maluku Tengah district, and the shallow at 10 km under the earth, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.
The intensity of the quake was felt at MMI III (Modified Mercalli Intensity) in Tehoru sub-district, the district capital of Masohi, Bula sub-district in Seram Bagian Timur district, and Kairatu sub-district in Seram Bagian Barat district.
The tremors were also felt at MMI II in the provincial capital of Ambon, it said.– NNN-ANTARA
