Strong quake hits off the coast of Java

  • 16/12/2017

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 has struck off the coast of Java in Indonesia, the United States Geological Survey says. 

Java is Indonesia's most populated island and there are reports of collapsed buildings and at least one fatality. 

The USGS said the epicentre of the quake was located at a depth of 92 kms, about 52 kms southwest of Tasikmalaya. 

Tremors were felt in central and west Java and caused minor damage to some buildings. 

National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said a 62-year-old man was confirmed dead in the Ciamis region of western Java. 

He added that there were reports of more deaths and of injuries in the same region. 

"Houses and other buildings are damaged in many areas," he said in a statement. 

Early on Saturday morning, after the quake, the Bureau of Meterology said there was no tsunami threat to Australia.