Quake in Indonesia prompts tsunami warning in India

An 8.7-magnitude quake in Indonesia sent tremors across the Indian Ocean region, from Sri Lanka to the east coast of India to Andamans and Thailand, prompting authorities across the region to issue tsunami warning.

The 8.7-magnitude quake that struck 500km off the coast of Banda Aceh, on the northern tip of the Sumatra island of Indonesia, at a depth of 33km, on Wednesday, sent residents in and around the region fleeing their homes and offices in fear.

The quake disabled power lines in Aceh province and power was down. Local authorities warned people of approaching danger through sirens as people gathered on high ground, the US Geological Survey said.

"Electricity is down, there are traffic jams to access higher ground. Sirens and Koran recitals from mosques are everywhere," said Sutopo, spokesman for Indonesia's disaster management agency.

A tsunami watch was issued for the whole Indian Ocean region as the quake was felt as far away as the Thai capital of Bangkok, and in southern India and Sri Lanka, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

Tremors of the high intensity quake were felt in northeastern parts of India, including West Bengal, Bihar, Assam and Manipur as also Bangladesh.