Indonesia Earthquake: 6.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Sulawesi Province

A 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia's central Sulawesi province on Saturday, the US Geological Survey said, sending terrified residents fleeing into the streets.

The quake struck on land 56 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of the city of Palu at around 5:40 pm (0940 GMT) at a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles).

Panicked residents in Palu ran from their homes as the ground shook violently for a few seconds, an AFP reporter said.

"We've received no reports of damage or casualties... We'll continue monitoring," Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency technical chief Suharjono, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP.

The Indonesian agency earlier reported the quake's magnitude at 6.2 at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), with its epicenter in the populated mountainous district of Parigi Moutong.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where continental plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

- Source