JAKARTA, Indonesia – Witnesses and media say a powerful earthquake hit western Indonesia, toppling buildings, cutting electricity and causing at least several injuries.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.9, and struck 30 miles off the coast of Sumatra. The quake was along the same fault line that spawned the massive 2004 India Ocean tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people.
A tsunami warning for countries along the Indian Ocean was issued after the temblor struck early evening Wednesday and then lifted about an hour-and-a-half later.
Witnesses told local television and radio that hundreds of houses collapsed and that a road to the coastal town of Padang was cut off.
Witnesses reported at least several injuries.
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