No deaths in Indonesia quake; tsunami alert lifted

SINABANG, Indonesia-A major earthquake of 7.7 magnitude struck off the coast of Aceh in north-western Indonesia on Wednesday, triggering panic and power blackouts, but no deaths were reported and a tsunami alert was later lifted.Neighboring Thailand and Malaysia also canceled tsunami warnings.
A Reuters photographer in Sinabang on Simeulue island, south of Aceh and close to the epicenter, said electricity was cut in the area and some people were injured, including a child with a head wound who had been hit by fallen masonry.A local official said 17 people were hurt on the island, including four with serious injuries.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed relief the island of Sumatra appeared to have escaped major devastation.
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