Padang, W Sumatra (ANTARA) - The local government of Padang, West Sumatra, stated that no damage was caused by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake centered 177 kilometers northwest of the Mentawai Islands at 3:00 a.m. local time, Tuesday.
"As of Tuesday morning, at 07:00 am (local time), there have been no reports of damage from residents, both small and large," Padang City Regional Secretary Andree Algamar stated in Padang, Tuesday.
He said that currently, Mayor of Padang, Hendri Septa, along with staff members, are at the red zone area in Padang to observe the current situation and provide the latest information to the public regarding the earthquake.
"The mayor has been around to calm residents, who were displaced by the earthquake this morning," he remarked.
He said that the Padang city government was awaiting news on the latest developments regarding the impact of the earthquake that struck on Tuesday morning.
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Earlier, an earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.9, centered 177 kilometers northwest of the Mentawai Islands, was felt for about 30 seconds in Padang, West Sumatra, at 3:00 a.m. local time, Tuesday.
This earthquake caused thousands of residents, who were in the red zone of the tsunami, to immediately evacuate themselves to higher ground.
The community evacuated using cars, motorcycles, and tricycles, as well as on foot.
Residents also thronged several tsunami shelters provided by the government in anticipation of a tsunami.
Residents seeking safer places headed to government buildings, such as the office of the West Sumatra Regional Police and the West Sumatra Governor's Office.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) reported that the earthquake had the potential to cause a tsunami, but after some time, the tsunami warning was lifted and residents returned to their respective settlements.
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