7.5 Quake Hits Indonesia

Big earthquake shakes Indonesia
A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake has struck near Indonesia's western province of Aceh, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) says.
The tremor, at a depth of 35km (21.7 miles), had its epicentre 319 km (198 miles) off the coast of Sumatra, and hit at 1508 local time, the USGS added.

The epicentre was close to that of the earthquake which triggered the 2004 Asian tsunami, killing 130,000 people.

Indonesia is situated in one of the world's most seismically active areas.

Local residents said Wednesday's earthquake, close to the island of Simeulue, lasted for almost a minute.

It was felt strongly more than 300km (185 miles) away in the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, where people left their offices after buildings started shaking.

Health officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from towns along the coast, but phone lines to the island itself are down. Are you or anyone you know in the vicinity of the earthquake? Have you been affected in any way? Use the form below to send us your stories, some of which may be published.

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7254325.stm