A powerful earthquake has struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and was also felt in Singapore and Malaysia.
A powerful earthquake has struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and was also felt in Singapore and Malaysia.
The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.3, and was centred near the town of Padang.
The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.3, and was centred near the town of Padang.
Local radio reported that at least nine people have been killed but there are fears the number of deaths may rise as many buildings have collapsed.
At least 11 people are reported to have been killed but there are fears the number of deaths may rise as many buildings are said to have collapsed.
The quake struck at 1049 local time (0349 GMT), causing panic among residents in western Sumatra.
The quake struck at 1049 local time (0349 GMT), causing panic among residents in western Sumatra.
Among the dead were several children and at least one teacher, reported killed in the towns of Solok and Batusangkar when school buildings collapsed.
Among the dead were several children and at least one teacher, reported killed in the towns of Solok and Batusangkar when school buildings collapsed.
Rescue workers confirmed that hundreds of buildings had collapsed.
Rescue workers confirmed that hundreds of buildings had collapsed. Telephone and power lines have also been knocked down, cutting communications to some of the areas affected.
Indonesian television pictures showed pictures of panic and confusion at hospitals in the region as many people rushed for treatment.
Indonesian television pictures showed pictures of panic and confusion at hospitals in the region as people rushed for treatment.
The mayor of Solok, Samsurahim, told ElShinta radio that three people had been killed in a fire after the earthquake and hundreds of people were injured in his town.
"We have asked for medical help... our facilities here are insufficient".
Aftershock
Aftershock
The mayor of Solok, Samsurahim, told ElShinta radio that three people had been killed in a fire at a school after the earthquake.
He said hundreds of people in his town had been injured, mostly with broken bones and cuts.
RECENT INDONESIAN QUAKES 6 March 2007: Magnitude 6.3 quake hits Sumatra, at least nine dead18 December 2006: Mag 5.7 quake hits Sumatra, seven dead17 July 2006: Tsunami from Mag 7.7 quake off Java kills 50027 May 2006: Mag 6.2 quake near Yogyakarta kills 5,00026 December 2004: Tsunami from Mag 9.1 quake off Sumatra kills 130,000
"We have asked for medical help... our facilities here are insufficient".
Residents of some coastal areas fled to higher ground, but local officials said there was no risk of a tsunami as the earthquake happened under land rather than under the sea.
Residents of some coastal areas fled to higher ground, but local officials said there was no risk of a tsunami as the earthquake happened under land rather than under the sea.
The quake was also felt in western coastal areas of Malaysia, and several tall buildings in Singapore's business district swayed slightly due to the tremor.
The quake was also felt in western coastal areas of Malaysia, and several tall buildings in Singapore's business district swayed slightly due to the tremor.
Traders said there was no impact on financial trading.
Traders said there was no impact on financial trading.
A second tremor of magnitude 6.0 struck the region two hours later, said the US Geological Survey.
A second tremor of magnitude 6.0 struck the region two hours later, said the US Geological Survey.
Indonesia sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, and experiences frequent earthquakes - as well as tsunamis triggered by underwater earthquakes.
Indonesia sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, and experiences frequent earthquakes - as well as tsunamis triggered by underwater earthquakes.
Last year, more than 500 people died when a tsunami hit an area of the Java coast after an undersea earthquake.
Last year, more than 500 people died when a tsunami hit an area of the Java coast after an undersea earthquake.
And in the Asian tsunami of December 2004, over 130,000 people died in the northern island of Sumatra when waves destroyed swathes of the province of Aceh.
And in the Asian tsunami of December 2004, over 130,000 people died in the northern island of Sumatra when waves destroyed swathes of the province of Aceh.
Are you in the area or do you know anyone affected by the quake? Send us your comments using the form:
Are you in the area or do you know anyone affected by the quake? Send us your comments using the form:
