Reply #130: Major quake off Indonesia kills nearly 300

[soup]

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) -- A powerful earthquake struck late Monday off Indonesia's west coast, killing nearly 300 people whose homes collapsed on them and spreading panic across the Indian Ocean that another killer tsunami was on the way.

But fears of a second tsunami catastrophe in just over three months eased within hours, as officials in countries at risk reported their coasts clear of the type of quake-spawned waves that ravaged a dozen countries in Asia and Africa on Dec. 26.

All of the deaths reported in the hours immediately after Monday's quake were on Indonesia's Nias island, off Sumatra's west coast, which was close to the epicenter.

In one town, Gunungsitoli, about 70 percent of buildings had collapsed in the market district, officials said.

"Hundreds of buildings have been damaged or have collapsed," said Agus Mendrofa, the island's deputy district head. He told el-Shinta radio station that at least 296 people had died in Gunungsitoli.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/INDONESIA_EARTHQUAKE?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME

:cry: