Powerful earthquake in Indian Ocean, no tsunami threat

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

PORT BLAIR (AFP) — A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off India's Andaman islands in the Indian Ocean on Saturday, the US Geological Survey said.

The epicentre of the quake was 140 kilometres (90 miles) southwest of Port Blair, the capital of the islands. It struck at a depth of 35 kilometres, the USGS said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre did not issue an alert for the quake, which followed one with a 6.6 magnitude in the same region on Friday.

"There is no immediate report of damage or destruction," Chhering Targay, the archipelago's civilian administrator, told AFP. "But the quake today (Saturday) was much milder than yesterday."

Still, the quake triggered panic among locals, who recalled the deadly tsunami that struck in 2004, a...