A powerful earthquake hit off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island Monday afternoon, the U.S. Geological Survey's Web site reported. The quake was centered about 160 kilometers (100 miles) south-southwest of Padang and had a magnitude of 7.0, making it a major earthquake. Initially, the magnitude was reported as high as 7.3.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a local tsunami watch, but none has been reported.
Residents living in coastal towns told a local radio station they felt the quake strongly, but no serious damage seems to have occurred, The Associated Press reported.
Witnesses described people fleeing their homes, while others stayed inside unaware of the tsunami alert, AP said.
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