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A powerful earthquake centered near the Indonesian island of Sumatra toppled buildings on Wednesday and set off a tsunami alert for the Indian Ocean. It was followed hours later by a second earthquake. At least 10 people were killed and 200 injured in the first earthquake, The Associated Press reported, quoting local news accounts.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center of the Commerce Department and seismologists working in the region said tide-gauge readings showed that the first earthquake, which had a magnitude of 8.4, did generate small tsunamis that struck nearby shores, and that it might have caused some destruction along the coast.  The New York Times

Quake felt in Malaysia

George Moir, 80, who lives in the Langkawi Apartments in Setapak, said he felt the tremor at about 7.15pm while sitting in front of his computer. About 3,000 residents of several blocks of the Penara flats in Taman Tasek Permaisuri, Cheras, also evacuated. Residents at the Hospital Kuala Lumpur quarters were among those asked to evacuate three blocks of flats. In Johor Bahru, thousands of people at the Bukit Cagar flats evacuated their units. In Malacca, residents of several high-rise apartments made a quick dash down after realising what had happened.

Most reported feeling tremors at about 7.15pm. A Kuala Lumpur City Hall official said the operations centre received information that tremors were felt in Setapak, Cheras, Jalan Pudu and several other parts of the city. The Star