A 7.5 Magnitude Earthquakes Hit Indonesia's Sumatra island

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- A strong earthquake hit late Monday off the western coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island, but no damage or casualties were immediately reported.

A tsunami watch has been issued following the 7.5 magnitude quake near the Mentawi Islands at a depth of 33km (20.5 miles), officials said.

The epicentre was reported to be 244km (152 miles) south of the city of Padang.

The 7.5-magnitude temblor struck at a depth of 9 miles (15 kilometers) on a small island off Sumatra, the U.S. Geological Survey said. 

A massive earthquake and tsunami struck off the same island in 2004.

The tremor that struck at 9:42 p.m. (1642 GMT) was centered about 78 kilometers (48 miles) southwest of the Pagai Selatan in Mentawai Island, with a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to the Indonesian agency.

Reported by BBC News