6.9-magnitude quake hits eastern coast of Indonesia

SANAA, July 8 (YPA) – A magnitude 6.9 quake struck off the northeastern coast of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island on Sunday evening, prompting authorities to warn of a tsunami, the US Geological Survey said.

The Indonesian Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the quake struck the sea at a depth of 36 km, and had a number of weaker satellites.

There have been no reports of casualties or damage from the quake.

According to Reuters agency, Rahmat Triano, BMKG official, told Compass Television, “We have not canceled (tsunami warning) because we are still watching the level of tides.

Residents of some cities panicked after the quake shook buildings, and authorities urged people to go to higher levels.

According to media reports, some hospitals were slightly damaged in the town of Turnai, some 130 kilometers from the epicenter, forcing hospitals to evacuate patients.

Residents in the coastal city of Manado, 185 km from the epicenter, said the impact was strong for several seconds, but caused no damage.