TAPANULI, 20 May 2008 - An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter Scale hit the area of Padang Sidempuan, northern Sumatra last evening. It was felt as far away as the district of North Tapanuli. The earthquake caused damage to houses in that district as well. Walls cracked and foundations of several houses have sustained damage as well. There were no people killed in the earthquake, but it did cause considerable panic among residents.

According to one of the residents, Tarihoran, there were two earthquakes around 22.30 local time (GMT+7) last night, a time while most people were already sleeping. The tremors caused residents to flee from their houses in panic. Outside damage to houses, there were also cracks reported in some roads. The amount of damage is not exactly known yet. Some aftershocks have been felt as well.