More than 200 dead from earthquake off Indonesia
A strong earthquake that hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra has left more than 200 people dead in a wide area.
The US Geological Survey announced that the quake with a magnitude of 8.5 occurred 200 kilometers off the west coast of Aceh province in northern Sumatra at a depth of 10 kilometers.
A local radio station reported a 1.5 meter high tidal wave at a road in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province. The tidal wave killed nine people, including four children. Many residents fled the area before the tidal wave hit. Some parts of a hotel and bridges collapsed in the city.
The AP news agency says at least 162 people died in the coastal area of eastern Sri Lanka. A 1.8 meter high tidal wave hit Trincomalee.
The Reuters news agency quotes authorities in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh as saying that at least 74 people were dead there after being swept away by tidal waves.
Reuters reports that a tidal wave also hit Phuket, southern Thailand, leaving many injured.
Japanese Embassy officials in Bangkok say there is no information so far on any Japanese casualties .
http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/
Current death toll said to be over a thousand. The Japanese government has annnounced that it plans to sent relief workers. I hope no FG were holidaying down there!