5.6 magnitude earthquake rocks west of Indonesia

SANAA, Feb. 28 (YPA) – A powerful earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale shook Indonesia’s west Sumatra province on Thursday.

The epicenter of the quake is located 38 kilometers northeast of the Basaman area and 10 km deep, the Indonesian meteorological center said in a statement.

The meteorological authority did not issue a warning about the likelihood of tsunamis following the earthquake, which did not result in casualties, according to preliminary data.

Last year, Indonesia witnessed 11, 000 and 577 earthquakes, due to the so-called “fire Belt”, an arc of rift lines revolving around the Pacific basin prone to recurring earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

E.M