Padang, NU Online
An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale shook some towns and districts in West Sumatra on Tuesday, a local meteorological and geophysics agency (BMG) said.

Epicenter of the quake which occurred at 10.58 a.m. was located 0?48 degrees south latitude and 100?3 degrees east longitude, four km below the land in Padang Panjang town, local BMG head Emrizal said.

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As reported by Antara news agency, the quake caused thousands of people in Padang panic and some others were lost conscious. Most of them were frightened by unconfirmed reports that the quake could trigger a tsunami.

Office workers and university students left their buildings immediately when the quake was jolting Padang.

It was reported that the tremor damaged some buildings including Solok mayor?s office and people houses in Solok town.

Meanwhile Batam chapter of BMG head Herry Saroso said the quake could be felt by residents in industrialized island of Batam as well.

He said the tremor could also be felt at II-III Modified Mercally Intensity (MMI) in Kepri province. (dar)