Earthquake raises tsunami fears

South Africa News.Net
Sunday 16th November, 2008

A major earthquake struck off Indonesia's Sulawesi island on Sunday, destroying houses and setting off a tsunami warning.

The US Geological Survey, which put the magnitude of the earthquake at 7.5, said it struck 136 kilometres off the coast of the central island of Sulawesi at a depth of 21 kilometres.

A tsunami warning was immediately put into place for the an area with a 1,000 kilometre radius, but has now been withdrawn.

During the period of the tsunami warning, authorities in the region took action to evacuate some coastal areas.

Building collapses were reported to Indonesian authorities who believe no deaths occurred during the quake.

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