Indonesia: 2 people died as 6.5 magnitude earthquake hits island

At least two people have died and seven others injured after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck a holiday island popular with British tourists off the coast of Java in Indonesia, sparking fears of a Tsunami.

Jakarta Post quoted the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho as saying that Pangandaran, Tasikmalaya, Ciamis, Banjar, Garut, Cilacap, Kebumen, Pekalongan, Banyumas, Brebes and Banjarnegara were among the cities affected by the earthquake.

The injured were taken to hospital for medical assistance, Sutopo said.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicentre of the quake was at a depth of 92 km, about 52 km south-west of Tasikmalaya, a city in West Java.

Tremors lasted for about a minute.

Ed Piotrowski, chief meteorologist as US network ABC, posted on Twitter: "A 6.5 magnitude earthquake has occurred on the coast of Indonesia. Tsunami possible." 

-ANI