Quake Hits Nias Island

Bandarlampung, Lampung (Antara) - An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale hit Nias Island off the west coast of northern Sumatra on Sunday evening, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). The epicenter of the quake which struck at 03.43 p.m. local time was located 50 km southeast of South Nias at a depth of 10 km, Yuharman, head of the Kotabumi geophysics station in Lampung province, said quoting a BMKG report. There was no immediate report of casualties or material damage. A 5.5-magnitude earthquake is considered moderate and capable of causing considerable damage. Nias island was hit by a devastating 8.7-magnitude earthquake in 2005 that killed some 850 people and left tens of thousands homeless. (*) Reporting by Budisantoso Budiman