Seventy die in Sumatra earthquakes

Two strong earthquakes that hit Indonesia's Sumatra island today killed at least 70 people and injured scores more.

Two strong earthquakes that hit Indonesia's Sumatra island today killed at least 70 people and injured scores more.

A second 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the same area two hours later. However, there was no immediate tsunami warning after the quakes, which were on land.

The first quake of magnitude 6.3 was felt in the West Sumatra provincial capital of Padang, sparking panic among seaside residents who feared it might trigger a tsunami.

The United States Geological Survey said the first quake's epicentre was around 420 kilometres (260 miles) from Singapore.

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Some buildings collapsed and several homes and other buildings were badly damaged by the tremors that sent several people scrambling for safety.

The tremors were felt as far away as Malaysia and Singapore, where several buildings were evacuated.

A quake in the Indian Ocean off Sumatra island in December 2004 and the tsunami it caused left about 170,000 people dead or missing in Indonesia's northern Aceh province.

Earthquakes are frequent in Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country. Its 17,000 islands sprawl along a belt of intense volcanic and seismic activity.