Sunday, December 26 2004 17:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Lhokseumawe (Indonesia): Indonesian towns nearest to the epicentre of today's (Dec 26, 2004) massive undersea earthquake were swamped by tidal waves, killing at least 408 people and leaving bodies wedged in trees as the waters receded, officials and witnesses said.

Communications were down in several coastal towns facing the epicentre of the 8.9 magnitude temblor off the west coast of Sumatra Island, officials said, raising fears that further death and damage were yet to be reported.

Aceh province on the northern tip of Sumatra Island, which for years has been torn by separatist violence - was worst hit.

Thousands of people had abandoned their homes and were headed for higher ground after the earthquake, which was centred 40 kilometres below the seabed, sent waves surging inland about 8 am (0650 IST), officials said.

The earthquake - the most powerful in 40 years - triggered massive tidal waves that slammed into coastlines across Asia, killing more than 2,000 people.

At least one coastal village, Lancuk, was nearly destroyed, witnesses said.

An Associated Press reporter in the village saw several bodies wedged in trees.

Hospital officials and emergency workers in Lhokseumawe said 90 people in the region had been killed, including many young children.

At least 98 people were killed in Northern Bireun district as a result of flooding and "dozens" more were missing, said district head Mustofa Glanggang. Most of the bodies were found on the beach.