WASHINGTON, Nov 19: A magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit Simeulue, Indonesia, on Saturday, the US Geological Survey said, but officials there were no reports of a tsunami or other damage or injuries. “A strong earthquake occurred at 1410 GMT on Saturday, Nov 19,” the USGS said on its Web site. “The magnitude 6.5 event has been located in Simeulue, Indonesia,” an island off Sumatra 1,440kms northwest of Jakarta.

An official at Jakarta’s Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said the quake measured 6.2 magnitude and was centred in the ocean near Simeulue. Asked if it could generate a tsunami, he said: “I don’t think so. It’s already been more than one hour and there have been no reports of a tsunami.”

He said, however, the quake was felt by residents on mainland Sumatra island to the west. Geophysicist John Bellini said no damage or injuries were reported.—Reuters