Strong quake hits Sumatra

A strong earthquake rocked a large swath of Indonesia's Sumatra Island today, shaking buildings and causing panic, witnesses and a meteorological official said.

Officials were still measuring the quake, which struck off the west coast of the island at 0852 local time (0722 IST), said Budi Waluyu, from the government's geophysical and meteorological agency.

"It was strongly felt," across west Sumatra and outlying islands, he said.

Meanwhile, the US Geological Survey issued a preliminary report placing saying the quake measured 6.8.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

Callers to el-Shinta radio station from Medan, a large city on Sumatra, said tall buildings shook as a result of the quake and some residents ran from their homes.