Doublet earthquakes hit Indonesia’s Bengkulu province

2 temblors strike in span of 6 minutes, says authority

JAKARTA:

Doublet earthquakes jolted Indonesia’s Bengkulu province on Wednesday, the country's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency said.

The first temblor of 6.6 magnitude was reported at 5.23 a.m. local time  with the epicenter located 169 kilometers (105 miles) southwest of Bengkulu at a depth of 24 km (15 mi).

It was followed by a magnitude 6.7 quake, six minutes later at 5.29 a.m. local time with the epicenter being 78 km (48.5 mi) southwest of northern Bengkulu at a depth of 86 km (53.4 mi).

Besides surrounding cities such as Mukomuko, Seluma and Kepahiang, the tremors were felt in the neighboring Singapore as well.

No damage or casualties were immediately reported, and a tsunami alert was not issued.

The Southeast Asian country has suffered deadly earthquakes and tsunamis in the past, including the most devastating one in 2004, which killed thousands of people.