Jakarta: A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake shook the western coast of Indonesia's North Sumatra province today, the meteorology office here said.

The quake struck at 1956 IST at a depth of 10 kilometres in a mountainous area 35 kilometres northeast of Padang Sidempuan, meteorologists said.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

A resident of Padang Sidempua, Pardomuan Banun, contacted by telephone, said that the quake was strongly felt in town, causing people to rush out of buildings in panic, some shouting.

"But so far I have not seen or heard of any serious damage or victims," Bangun said.

Source : PTI