6.2 magnitude earthquake in Nicobar felt in Phuket

A strong earthquake of 6.2 magnitude struck Nicobar Island in India and was felt in Phuket today.

Director general of the Thai Meteorological Department Mr Wanchai Sak-udomchai said the strong earthquake with epicentre in Nicobar Island at the depth of 10 kilometres was felt by residents in many areas in Phuket some 446 kilometres away.

There was no report yet of damages from the earthquake that struck at shortly before midnight but residents in high rise buildings reported feeling the quake.

The TMD announced the earthquake at 12.05 am Monday.

”We felt it on the 4th floor of the JW Marriott in Mai Khao,” wrote Phuketwan reader Lesley Drew. ”Lasted a few seconds and the building wobbled.”

Local authorities were checking buildings in Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong and Surat Thani for damage, according to social media reports, according to Phuket Wan Tourism News.

Residents called rescue authorities after the shaking was felt at a three-storey apartment in Phuket City, a two-storey building in Chalong where windows shook, and a five-storey building in Surat Thani.

Phuket is located in an earthquake prone area. There was no tsunami alert with last night’s tremors.

Environmental activist Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a noted marine academic investigating overdevelopment on Phi Phi, said there appeared no danger this time but urged people to know the evacuation routes to higher ground, Phuket Wan reported this morning.

An undersea earthquake of magnitude 9.1 triggered a huge tsunami on December 26, 2004 that killed about 5400 people along the Andaman coast and 220,00 people around the Indian Ocean.

Thai PBS

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