S-E Asian nations on tsunami alert after 8.6 Indonesia quake

JAKARTA (AFP) - South-east Asian nations issued tsunami alerts and urged people to move to safety away from coastlines after a massive 8.6 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra on Wednesday.

US monitors issued an Indian Ocean-wide tsunami watch after the quake, which according to the US Geological Survey struck off the coast of Sumatra at 2.38pm (4.38pm) at a depth of 33km.

USGS had initially reported it as an 8.9-magnitude quake. Sri Lanka and India issued tsunami warnings while Thailand urged people on the Andaman coast, a popular tourist destination, to move to safety.

A Sri Lanka government statement said waves could hit the island's eastern coast by about 10.40 GMT and urged an orderly evacuation of the coastal strip.

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