Quake triggers panic on tourist resort island

AN EARTHQUAKE that hit Indonesia’s resort island of Bali has caused panic among residents and tourists.

Geologists said the magnitude 5.5 earthquake that struck at 7.10am yesterday (11.10pm Tuesday in Britain) was centred in the south-eastern part of Bali, at a depth of 74 miles.

There were no reports of casualties or damage but witnesses said many residents and tourists ran out of their homes and hotels to higher ground.

But the situation returned to normal after they received text messages saying the quake had no potential to trigger a tsunami.

The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said it would not cause a tsunami because the epicentre was so deep. In December 2004 a massive earthquake off Sumatra island triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 people.