6.1-magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia, several houses damaged

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia’s Maluku province damaged several homes and forced dozens to evacuate. A video footage showed sea water of less than a meter height entering the coastal areas of Maluku Tengah district, triggering panic among residents.

Sass Salong, secretary of the provincial disaster management agency after the quake, said several houses were destroyed and residents moved from their homes to safer places.

However, there was no immediate report of any casualty after the quake, he said.

He said disaster agency officials have done a risk assessment of the effects of a minor tsunami and aftershocks.
According to the Meteorological, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, the earthquake struck at 11.43 am on Wednesday, with its epicenter 67 km southeast of Maluku Tengah district and 10 km below Earth.

It said tremors were also felt in the provincial capital, Ambon.