An earthquake of high intensity shook the Indonesian island Aceh provinceon Wednesday, according to the Met Department. The temblor with a depth of 29 Km, occurred at 2.37 am (5.37am AEDT) around 420km southwest of Banda Aceh, it said. It was centered 18 miles (30 kilometers) beneath the ocean floor. The undersea earthquake measured between 7.1-7.3 magnitudes on the Richter scale, sent panic among the natives. The area shook for nearly 30 seconds, people rushed out in panic but returned to their homes shortly.

Initially the earth quake was measured at 7.6 and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a Tsunami warning, but later when the Indonesia's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency downgraded the same to 7.1. And within half an hour the warning was lifted. No causalities were reported. No damages are also on record. Residents in the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, and other cities along the coast poured into the streets after being rattled from their sleep.