Wednesday, December 29 2004 19:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Devastated by Sunday's Tsunami waves which killed thousands of people, 6.1 on the Richter scale hit the region.

Most of the aftershocks were epicentred near the Car Nicobar Islands, which saw widespread destruction caused by the giant waves which were triggered by a 9.0 quake off Indonesia's coast on Sunday. Nearly 60 aftershocks have rocked the region since then.

The first of today's aftershocks, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale, rocked the islands shortly after 0700 IST. This was followed within 10 minutes by a 6.1 temblor, the Meteorological Department said in New Delhi.

While the epicentre of the first quake was near Camotra in the Little Nicobar Islands, the second was centred near Car Nicobar Islands.

Another quake, measuring 5.4, occurred at 0744 IST off the West coast of Andaman.

Between 1127 and 1201 IST, four more quakes - all epicentred near Car Nicobar Islands and measuring between 5.1 and 5.8 in intensity - were recorded.

At 1540 IST, another aftershock centred near the same island and measuring 5.0, shook the region.

A quake of similar intensity had been recorded at 2241 IST yesterday (Dec 28, 2004) off the Little Andaman Island.

A Met official said aftershocks of Sunday's giant quake were likely to be experienced for sometime.