Strong earthquake of 6.5 magnitude strikes off Abepura city in Indonesia

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - A strong earthquake of 6.5 magnitude shook southeastern city of Abepura in Indonesia on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said.

The earthquake struck some 120 miles from Abepura in Papua province at around 0548 GMT, and depth at the epicenter was measured at 21 miles.

According to Indonesian geophysics agency, BMKG, however, the magnitude of the earthquake was 6.8.

There were no immediate reports of damages from the city, home to over 60,000 people.