Massive quake off west Sumatra, tsunami warning issued

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra.- PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM USGS

JAKARTA: Indonesia issued a tsunami warning Wednesday after a massive and shallow earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra at 12.49pm GMT (8.49pm Malaysian Time), an area hit badly by the 2004 Indian Ocean quake and tsunami.

The warning was issued for west Sumatra, north Sumatra and Acheh after the 7.9-magnitude quake, the National Meteorolgical Agency said.