7.2 Indian Ocean Quake Generates 6ft Tsunami

A powerfull 7.2 quake in the Indian Ocean shook Java today for over 2 minutes. Shortly after a 6ft tsunami smashed into Pangandaran on the central south coast sending boats and debris up to 500m inland according to first accounts. So far 3 people are reported dead as head high water destroyed beach side houses and small hotels in the resort town.

Other small towns on the south coast are thought to have been hit by the tsunami but reports have not been received at time of writing. The central south coast is heavily populated and many ports are located near river mouths on low lying or reclaimed land.

A 6.1 after shock struck 2 hours later and people are being evacutate from low beach front areas. Many people ran to high ground after the quake avoiding the wall of water by minutes.