Large 6.2 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia

There is no potential for a tsunami, says Indonesia's meteorological agency

The earthquake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale and could be felt as far away as Singapore (US Geological Society)

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake has struck 46 miles (75 km) west of Padang, Indonesia after midnight local time on Friday.

The quake hit off the west coast of Sumatra, a large Indonesian island west of Java.

Tremors were reportedly felt as far away as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, which are both east of the island.

The quake struck just after 17:00 GMT (Thursday), at a depth of 49.5km, the US Geological Survey reported.

Indonesia's meteorological agency said there was no potential for a tsunami.

The earthquake’s epicentre was along the Sumatra fault, where the Indo-Australia and Sunda plates converge. The fault line results in an area of intense seismic and volcanic activity in and around Sumatra.

Indonesia sits on one edge of the so called “Pacific Ring of Fire”, a horseshoe-shaped arc of fault-lines along the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

According to local reports, residents across southern Sumatra said they felt strong tremors. One resident reportedly said the quake was “enough to wake me from sleep and long enough to make me panicked”.

Another witness said: “I’m now in Payakumbuh and this tremor feels quite strong.

“Lamp shaking, and you can [feel] it when you are standing.”

There were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties.