Strong quake rocks N. Sulawesi

MANADO, North Sulawesi: An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the open-ended Richter scale shook some cities in North Sulawesi province, including Manado and Bitung, at midnight Wednesday.

The quake's epicenter was 140 kilometer west of Ternate island, 113 kilometer southeast of Bitung, Antara quoted Hendra Gunawan, the head of the local meteorological and geophysical office, as saying on Thursday.

The quake in Manado and Bitung measured 4 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, and in Gorontalo and surrounding towns at 2 MMI to 3 MMI.

There were at least 25 aftershocks, Gunawan said, adding that more aftershocks were expected.

There was no report on casualties or damages caused by the quake, but a number of buildings developed cracks.

An earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter scale can cause severe damage.