Strong quake rocks N. Sulawesi

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.