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Global

Earthquake strikes off Indonesian coast


    JAKARTA (Reuters) - A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, near an area devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

    The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no threat of a destructive, widespread tsunami although there was a small possibility of a local tsunami near the area of the quake.

    The quake, which was earlier reported to be of 6.6. magnitude, occurred at 11:29 p.m. local time (5:29 a.m. British time) and was centred about 137 km (85 miles) southwest of Bengkulu, the USGS said. The depth was 18 km (11 miles).

    There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

    "What we know is that it was felt in the area," Subagyo (eds: full name), from the Bureau of Meteorology's earthquake monitoring centre, told Reuters.

    "We have not had any reports of building damage or injuries but we are waiting for more reports from the field."

    (Reporting by Paul Simao and Sunanda Creagh; Editing by Nick Macfie)