Strong earthquake hits West Java of Indonesia(1)

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 rocked western part of Java Island of Indonesia early Thursday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    JAKARTA, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 rocked western part of Java Island of Indonesia early Thursday, Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said here.

    The U.S. Geological Survey reported in its Web site that the quake's magnitude was 7.4.

    The quake struck just after midnight at 00:04 Jakarta time (1704 GMT Wednesday) with epicenter at 75 kilometers northwest Indramayu of West Java province and at a depth of 286 kilometers under sea bed, an official of the agency said.

    The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the quake could not generate a tsunami in the Indian Ocean as it was located too deep inside the earth.

    The epicenter was about 100 kilometers east of Indonesia's capital Jakarta. It could be felt by the people in the capital. Many came out of their houses or apartment buildings in hurry in the city after the quake struck.

    "I am scared that the building could break down and hit us," Ana who lives in an apartment building in the capital of Jakarta told Xinhua.

    However there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the quake.

    Indonesia is laid on a vulnerable quake hit-zone so called the Pacific Ring of Fire, where two continental plates meet that cause frequent seismic and volcanic movements.

    Over 170,000 people were killed in the December 2004 tsunami triggered by a strong quake in Indonesia.