Indonesia: Magnitude 7.1 offshore earthquake occurs in the Indian Ocean off west coast of Sumatra 03:00 WIB April 25

Event

A magnitude-7.1 offshore earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Sumatra, at around 03:00 WIB April 25. The epicenter was about 170 km (106 mi) south-southeast of Teluk Dalam, Indonesia. The initial tremor occurred at a depth of about 15 km (9 miles); strong to violent shaking was reported in areas close to the epicenter, with moderate to strong tremors felt in more distant areas of the island of Sumatra and weak to light shaking experienced as far as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, some damage is possible closer to the epicenter. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Further aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.