07-24-2005, 07:53 PM
<img src='http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40873000/gif/_40873193_nicobar_campbell_map203.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
<b>Strong quake hits Nicobar Islands</b>
<b>A strong earthquake has hit the Nicobar Islands in India but there are no reports of damage or casualties.</b>
With memories of December's tsunami still fresh, Thai authorities briefly issued a tidal wave alert, but within two hours had withdrawn the warning.
The magnitude-7 quake occurred at 1542 (GMT) about 135km (85 miles) west of Misha, Nicobar Islands, and 440km (275 miles) from Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
It was felt as far away as Madras (Chennai), India, and Phuket, Thailand.
It is the second time the Thai authorities have issued such a warning since the 26 December tsunami.
Near the Thai beaches of Bangtao, Surin and Karon, eyewitnesses reported people had taken to higher ground in the darkness because of the warning.
But Waverly Perso of the US Geological Survey told the BBC it was "unlikley to spark a tsunami".
"I don't think they'll be any activity from this earthquake," he said.
"We have got reports from all inhabited islands through the police and there has been no casualties or damage," the Nicobar Islands federal top administrator Ram Kapse told Reuters news agency.
"There has been no tsunami alert."
In Sri Lanka, where more than 30,000 people died in December's tsunami, the meteorological department said there was no need to issue a tsunami alert.
The Andaman and Nicobar islands are still reeling from December's quake and tsunami which killed up to 10,000 people.
The tsunami killed at least 200,000 people in 13 countries. Most of the victims were in the Aceh province.
<b>BBC.com</b>
<b>Strong quake hits Nicobar Islands</b>
<b>A strong earthquake has hit the Nicobar Islands in India but there are no reports of damage or casualties.</b>
With memories of December's tsunami still fresh, Thai authorities briefly issued a tidal wave alert, but within two hours had withdrawn the warning.
The magnitude-7 quake occurred at 1542 (GMT) about 135km (85 miles) west of Misha, Nicobar Islands, and 440km (275 miles) from Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
It was felt as far away as Madras (Chennai), India, and Phuket, Thailand.
It is the second time the Thai authorities have issued such a warning since the 26 December tsunami.
Near the Thai beaches of Bangtao, Surin and Karon, eyewitnesses reported people had taken to higher ground in the darkness because of the warning.
But Waverly Perso of the US Geological Survey told the BBC it was "unlikley to spark a tsunami".
"I don't think they'll be any activity from this earthquake," he said.
"We have got reports from all inhabited islands through the police and there has been no casualties or damage," the Nicobar Islands federal top administrator Ram Kapse told Reuters news agency.
"There has been no tsunami alert."
In Sri Lanka, where more than 30,000 people died in December's tsunami, the meteorological department said there was no need to issue a tsunami alert.
The Andaman and Nicobar islands are still reeling from December's quake and tsunami which killed up to 10,000 people.
The tsunami killed at least 200,000 people in 13 countries. Most of the victims were in the Aceh province.
<b>BBC.com</b>