JAKARTA, Sept 14, 2007 (AFP) - Indonesia on Friday lifted a tsunami alert that was issued along the west coast of Sumatra island after a major 6.9-magnitude aftershock rattled the area, the meteorological agency said.

'The tsunami warning is cancelled,' the agency said in a telephone text message about an hour after the quake struck at 0601 GMT, 161 kilometres (100 miles) southwest of the city of Bengkulu at a depth of 10 kilometres.

Bengkulu was one of the areas worst hit by a powerful 8.4-magnitude quake that rocked Sumatra's west coast on Wednesday at dusk.

JAKARTA, Sept 14, 2007 (AFP) - Another quake with a magnitude of 6.9 jolted Indonesia's Sumatra on Friday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami alert for the island's west coast, the meteorological agency said.

The quake -- the latest aftershock following Wednesday's massive tremor -- struck at 0601 GMT, 161 kilometres (100 miles) southwest of the city of Bengkulu at a depth of 10 kilometres, the agency said in a phone text message.

'There is the potential for a tsunami,' it warned.

JAKARTA, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Indonesia on Thursday called off a tsunami alert issued after a 6.4-magnitude quake struck off the northern tip of Sulawesi island, the meteorology office said.

'The tsunami alert has been lifted,' it said in a telephone text message, lifting the alert less than an hour after it was sent out.

JAKARTA, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Another strong earthquake rocked Indonesia on Thursday, this time off the northern tip of Sulawesi island, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning for coastal areas, meteorologists said.

'There is a potential for a tsunami,' the meteorological agency warned in a text message.

The quake struck at 5:48 pm (0948 GMT) some 290 kilometres (180 miles) northeast of Bitung, a major port in north Sulawesi, at a depth of 30 kilometres, the agency said.

SERANGAI, Indonesia, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - At least one village on the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra appeared to have been damaged by a tsunami after a huge 8.4-magnitude quake, residents and an AFP correspondent said Thursday.

Many of the wooden houses in largely deserted Serangai, a village some 75 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Bengkulu city, appeared to have been damaged by the sea with debris strewn across the streets, an AFP reporter witnessed.

BENGKULU, Indonesia, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - A massive quake off Indonesia's Sumatra island triggered a small tsunami but it did not cause any damage when it hit land and washed into some houses, police said Thursday.

The tsunami hit Sikakap beach on another island, North Pagai, with the water level there up to two metres (6.5 feet) higher than usual, police said, adding sea water washed into some houses near shore but did not cause any damage.

JAKARTA, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Indonesia called off a tsunami alert Thursday, the fourth issued in less than 24 hours following a series of massive quakes off the west coast of Sumatra, the meteorology office said.

'The tsunami alert has been lifted,' it said in a telephone text message, lifting the alert about an hour after it was issued.

JAKARTA, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Indonesia on Thursday was hit by a 6.7 aftershock off Sumatra island, triggering a local tsunami alert, a day after a huge quake in the same region, the meteorology office said.

The aftershock hit at 8:26 am (0126 GMT), about 130 kilometres (80 miles) southwest of the coastal city of Painan in West Sumatra, at a depth of 46 kilometres.

'There is a tsunami potential,' a telephone text message from the office said.

A separate alert earlier Thursday after a 7.8 quake was lifted an hour after it was issued.

JAKARTA, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Indonesian police on the island of Sumatra sought to calm survivors of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Thursday a day after another major quake, as they scrambled to hunt for victims.

Authorities here issued their third tsunami warning in 24 hours -- it was lifted an hour later -- for the west coast of the island, where many panicked residents had spent the evening sheltering outdoors amid the aftershocks.

JAKARTA, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Indonesia called off a third tsunami alert issued after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake rattled the west coast of Sumatra Thursday following a major quake a day earlier, the meteorology office said.

'The tsunami alert has been lifted,' it said in a telephone text message, lifting the alert just over an hour after it was issued.

JAKARTA, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Indonesia on Thursday issued a third tsunami warning in the past 24 hours, as a strong aftershock of a 7.7 magnitude rattled Sumatra island, the meteorology office said.

The quake hit at 6:49 am (2349 GMT Wednesday), about 140 kilometres (87 miles) southwest of the town of Jambi, in the central part of Sumatra, at a depth of 24 kilometres, the agency said by short text message.

'Tsunami potential, to be forwarded to the public,' the message said.

NAIROBI, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - African nations on the Indian Ocean on Wednesday warned of a possible tsunami after an earthquake struck off the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, officials said.

The Kenyan authorities advised residents along the coastal region to keep off the beaches and remain alert, warning that a tsunami was expected.

Government spokesman Alfred Mutua, who hard earlier said the 'a massive tsunami is expected to hit the Kenyan coast at 11:39 pm (2039 GMT),' downgraded the alert.

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of people in southern Bangladesh fled their homes in panic fearing a tsunami after a major earthquake off Indonesia, officials said on Wednesday.

Local officials said some 600,000 people rushed from coastal regions of the disaster-prone country following a government tsunami warning.

Police with loud-hailers raised the alarm after the 8.4-magnitude earthquake hundreds of miles (kilometres) south in the Indian Ocean.

JAKARTA, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - A massive 8.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, toppling buildings and triggering a tsunami alert across the Indian Ocean region.

There was no immediate word on the full extent of casualties and damage, but at least two people were reported killed and dozens injured in the quake, which split open buildings 300 kilometres (185 miles) from the epicentre.

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of people in southern Bangladesh fled their homes in panic fearing a tsunami after a major earthquake off Indonesia, officials said on Wednesday.

Chittagong district administrator Ashraf Shamim said half-a-million people were rushing from coastal regions of the disaster-prone country following a government tsunami warning.

Police with loud-hailers raised the alarm after the 8.4-magnitude earthquake hundreds of miles (kilometres) south in the Indian Ocean.

HONG KONG, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre on Wednesday issued a tsunami alert for the entire Indian Ocean region after a massive earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island.

The Hawaii-based centre said a watch was in effect for the entire area including Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka Lanka, Thailand and the Maldives -- countries all affected by the devastating December 2004 Asian tsunami.

JAKARTA, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Indonesia called off a second tsunami alert issued after a 6.6-magnitude aftershock rattled the west coast of Sumatra Wednesday following a major quake hours earlier, a meteorological official said.

'The tsunami alert has been called off,' Suhardjono, head of the earthquake division of Indonesia's meteorological agency, told AFP.

COLOMBO, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Sri Lanka Lanka has lifted a tsunami alert announced after a powerful earthquake on Wednesday off the western coast of Indonesia, the meteorological office said.

The office said it expected only small waves to reach the island.

The island nation's coastlines were devastated following a tsunami triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Indonesia in December 2004. An estimated 31,000 Sri Lanka Lankans were killed and one million people left homeless.

JAKARTA, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Indonesia issued a second tsunami alert Wednesday after a 6.6-magnitude aftershock struck off the west coast of Sumatra following a massive quake hours earlier, the meteorology agency said.

The quake hit at 9:40 pm (1440 GMT), about 70 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of the town of Bengkulu, at a depth of 18 kilometres, the agency said by short text message.

'Tsunami potential, to be forwarded to the public,' the message said.

BANGKOK, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Thailand on Wednesday said they would not be issuing a tsunami warning following a massive earthquake off Indonesia's coast, but urged people in coastal areas to remain on alert.

Thitipat Bejraburninn, deputy director of Thailand's National Disaster Warning Centre, said that the latest information from Indonesia indicated that there was little threat to Thailand's coastlines.

'We have ruled out the possibility of issuing a tsunami warning,' he said.

JAKARTA, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - A massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, toppling buildings and triggering tsunami warnings across the Indian Ocean region.

There was no immediate word on the extent of casualties and damage, but there were reports of buildings toppled or cracked open from the force of the quake around 300 kilometres (185 miles) from the epicentre.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Malaysia said Wednesday there was no tsunami threat after a massive earthquake struck off Indonesia's Sumatra island but nevertheless warned residents to stay away from coastal areas.

'Please be advised to stay away from the beach in the states of Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Penang,' the meteorological services department said in a statement.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre earlier issued a tsunami alert for the entire Indian Ocean region after the 7.9-magnitude quake.

BANGKOK, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Thailand on Wednesday urged people to be alert for a possible tsunami following a massive earthquake off Indonesia's coast, but stopped short of immediately issuing an official warning.

'There is a high opportunity for a tsunami to happen. We are warning people to closely monitor the situation,' Thailand's National Disaster Warning Centre announced on its website.

Smith Thammararoj, head of the centre, told AFP that officials were still assessing the situation and would decide by 8:30 pm (1330 GMT) whether to issue a full warning.

SINGAPORE, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Singaporeans fled from shaking buildings Wednesday after a massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck neighbouring Indonesia and sparked tsunami warnings around the region, local media reported.

Broadcaster Channel NewsAsia reported that residents in various parts of the city-state felt the quake and people in some buildings, including in the central business district, fled to safety outside.

There were no reports of injuries.

NEW DELHI, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - India, Sri Lanka Lanka and the Maldives issued tsunami alerts on Wednesday after a massive earthquake off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island, officials said.

Thousands died across the region when a December 2004 tsunami struck following a powerful quake off Sumatra.

'We are issuing the alert after the quake in Indonesia,' a Sri Lanka Lankan meteorology department spokesman said, adding that Sri Lanka Lanka could be affected following Wednesday's 7.9-magnitude quake.

JAKARTA, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - The head of the Indonesian meteorology agency said Wednesday that the threat of a tsunami following a massive earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra island had likely passed.

Asked whether it was safe to say the threat had passed, the agency chief Suharjono told ElShinta radio, 'We think so'.

'Because if we look at the distance, it (the epicentre) is not even 200 kilometres away, and it would only take some 20 minutes to reach the coast,' he said.

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JAKARTA, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - A massive 7.9-magnitude quake struck off the western coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, triggering a tsunami warning for the entire Indian Ocean region.

The undersea earthquake erupted offshore at around 1100 GMT some 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of the city of Bengkulu at a depth of roughly 15 kilometres, the United States Geological Survey said.

NEW DELHI, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - India's Home Ministry on Wednesday issued a tsunami alert for the Andaman and Nicobar islands and the southeast mainland coast following a massive earthquake off Indonesia.

The Indian Ocean island chain was hit by a December 2004 tsunami caused by a massive quake off Indonesia's coast that killed a total of 220,000 people across the region.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Malaysia on Wednesday issued a tsunami alert for residents in the north of the country after a massive earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island.

'Please be advised to stay away from the beach in the states of Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Penang,' the meteorological services department said in a statement.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre earlier issued a tsunami alert for the entire Indian Ocean region after the 7.9-magnitude quake.

COLOMBO, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - Sri Lanka Lanka issued a tsunami alert following a powerful earthquake on Wednesday off the western coast of Indonesia, officials said.

'We are issuing the alert after the quake in Indonesia,' a meteorology department spokesman said, adding that the 7.9-magnitude quake could affect Sri Lanka Lanka.

The island nation's coastlines were devastated following a tsunami triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Indonesia in December 2004. An estimated 31,000 Sri Lanka Lankans were killed and one million people left homeless.

HONG KONG, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre on Wednesday issued a tsunami alert for the entire Indian Ocean region after a massive earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island.

The Hawaii-based centre said a watch was in effect for the entire area including Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka Lanka, Thailand and the Maldives -- countries all affected by the devastating December 2004 Asian tsunami.

JAKARTA, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - A massive 7.9-magnitude quake struck off the western coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning, meteorologists said.

The undersea earthquake, which hit at 6:10 pm (1110 GMT), struck in the sea some 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of the city of Bengkulu, at a depth of roughly 15 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake was strongly felt in the capital Jakarta, some 600 kilometres away, with tall buildings swaying.

PARIS, Sept 5, 2007 (AFP) - The northern tip of the Bay of Bengal, home to tens of millions of people, faces a potential double whammy from an earthquake and tsunami, a scientist warned on Wednesday.

He says the peril does not appear to be immediate but says there are many unknowns and further work is needed to quantify the risk.

Quake experts today fret about a stress point just east of where the December 26, 2004 temblor occurred near the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing some 220,000 people. The risk of another giant event at this spot is high, they fear.

PARIS, Aug 28, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong and the neighbouring territory of Macau face a roughly 10 percent risk of being hit by a devastating tsunami in the next hundred years, scientists said.

The danger stems from where the bed of the South China Sea ducks under the Manila Trench, a boundary in the notoriously seismic Philippine Sea plate of the Earth's crust.

WASHINGTON, Aug 15, 2007 (AFP) - The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cancelled its tsunami warning and watch Wednesday for eleven Latin American countries along the Pacific rim.

The center said its earlier warning in the wake of the massive earthquake that struck just offshore Peru late Wednesday was cancelled for all the countries previously included in its advisory: Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico and Honduras.

WASHINGTON, Aug 15, 2007 (AFP) - A potentially destructive tsunami was generated by the massive earthquake that struck offshore Peru Wednesday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The center issued a warning for Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica after the quake late Wednesday, which measured at least 7.7 on the Richter scale and was followed by powerful aftershocks.

It also issued a tsunami watch advisory for Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, and Honduras.

WASHINGTON, Aug 15, 2007 (AFP) - A tsunami warning was issued for the Pacific coast of South America Wednesday after a massive earthquake struck the coast of Peru.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued the warning for Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia after the quake late Wednesday, which measured 7.7 on the Richter scale and was followed by powerful aftershocks.

It also issued a tsunami watch advisory for Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, and Honduras.

TOKYO, Aug 2, 2007 (AFP) - A strong earthquake on Thursday hit the Russian island of Sakhalin, triggering small tsunami waves on Japan's coast, officials said.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said an earthquake of 6.4 on the Richter scale struck north of Japan early Thursday afternoon on Sakhalin.

Russian news agencies reported the tremor killed one person there.

In Japan, officials on the northern island of Hokkaido said they observed tsunami waves of about 20 centimetres (eight inches).

JAKARTA, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - A 6.6-magnitude quake rocked Indonesia`s northeast Thursday, rattling furniture and panicking residents, but a tsunami warning was cancelled and no damage or casualties were reported.

The earthquake, centered 57 kilometres (35 miles) under the seabed some 234 kilometres northwest of Ternate, struck at 1:40 pm (0540 GMT), prompting authorities to issue a warning that was withdrawn about 30 minutes later.

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - The US National Weather Service said on Thursday there was no threat of a widespread tsunami after a strong earthquake was registered in Indonesia.

'No destructive widespread tsunami threat exists based on historical earthquake and tsunami data,' said the weather service`s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in a bulletin issued after the quake.

But it said earthquakes of this magnitude 'sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within a hundred kilometers (62 miles) of the earthquake epicenter.'

JAKARTA, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami warning Thursday for the province of North Maluku after a 6.6-magnitude quake hit the area, a meteorology official said.

The earthquake was centered 57 kilometres (35 miles) under the seabed some 234 kilometres northwest of the town of Ternate, the capital of North Maluku, at 1:40 pm (0540 GMT), said the official, who identified himself as Jabar.

'Judging from the magnitude, there is a potential that a tsunami might develop,' he told AFP.