Quake, aftershocks hit Andaman

Port Blair, Aug 10 (UNI) Aftershocks measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale rocked the Andaman Islands, minutes after a strong earthquake of magnitude 6.6 hit the islands this afternoon.

Sources at the Andaman Disaster Control Room informed that there was no report of any casualty or damage to property.

The aftershocks occurred at 1510 hrs with the epicentre located nearly 145 km away from Port Blair.

Earlier, a quake, measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale, was reported at 1350 hrs and was felt for nearly six to seven seconds.

Panic-stricken islanders came out of their houses and were standing outside for hours after the quake.

''The quake was not felt in North Andaman region but was strongly felt in Port Blair,'' Mr S N Jha, Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman and Incharge of Andaman's Disaster Management Committee said.

The officials also said no tsunami warning was issued for Andamans.

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