Quake rocks Andamans, tremor felt in Chennai

{image-Andaman&nicobar1_28062008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Port Blair, Jun 28: An undersea earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale struck off India's Andaman islands in the Indian Ocean on Friday, June 27, causing people to flee their homes. The quake triggered panic and fears of a repeat of the devastating 2004 tsunami. Panic stricken people ran out of their houses as the powerful jolt rattled buildings.

The epicentre of the quake was 115 kilometres (70 miles) southwest from capital Port Blair. There were no casualties but tremors were felt as far away as along the eastern coast at Chennai. The Indian navy ordered its ships not to approach Andaman shores until an all-clear was sounded by the local military command. The Andaman and Nicobar chain of 536 islands, 58 of them inhabited, was badly hit by the 2004 tsunami, with hundreds dead and more than 3,000 still officially listed as missing. With its epicentre near Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the quake occurring at around 1700 hrs lasted a few seconds and rocked several parts of Chennai including the busy T Nagar, Nugambakkam and Koyambedu areas said the Police.

UNI