Regencies hit by earthquakes

TERNATE, Maluku: The cities of Ternate and Soasio in the regencies of Central Halmahera and North Maluku were hit yesterday afternoon by an earthquake measuring 5.5. on the open Richter scale, Antara reported.

There were no casualties reported in the quake, which lasted for about five seconds, according to Riyo Fauzy, head of the local Meteorology and Geophysics office.

The epicenter of the quake was located 140 kilometers northwest of Ternate Island, at 33 km below the sea, with a position of 1.87 north latitude and 126.53 east longitude.

"The residents didn't panic because they're used to minor earthquakes," Fauzy said. (swe)