5.1-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Eastern Indonesia

An 5.1-magnitude earthquake shook Indonesia's eastern West Papau province early Sunday morning, causing residents to run in panic from their homes to the street.



According to the country's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, the earthquake that rattled the provincial capital of Manokwari at around 3: 27 a.m. had an epicenter 95 miles (154 kilometers) northeast of Bintuni Regency and 50 miles (80 km)  east of Tambrauw Regency.



It does not have the potential to cause a tsunami, the agency stressed. No casualties were reported.



After feeling the tremors, guests at a central five-star hotel in Manokwari poured onto the street, remaining outside in anticipation of aftershocks.



Patients at the Manokwari District General Hospital who were able to stand and walk likewise fled from the building.



As of Sunday morning, many residents of Manokwari still hesitated to return indoors out of fear of aftershocks.



Indonesia lies within the Pacific's "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and cause frequent seismic and volcanic activity.



In 2004, an earthquake in the western island of Sumatra caused a series of devastating tsunamis around the Indian Ocean, killing over 230,000 people in 14 countries.  



Most of the victims were in the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra on the island.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Endonezya