A tectonic earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale jolted Padang city again at 9.37 local time on Monday morning, ANTARA quoted Padang Panjang Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) spokesperson Nana Diana as saying. She said the epicenter of the quake was located at 2.36 degrees southern latitude to 99.57 degrees eastern longitude at the depth of 34 kilometers, or 157 kilometers west of Painan town in Pesisir Selatan district. The temblor was strong enough to send the people of Padang, Pesisir Selatan, Mentawai, and Padang Pariaman out of their homes in panic for fear of another aftershock. Nana Diana said that on Monday, February 25, another tectonic earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale also jolted a number of areas in West Sumatra. Two people were killed and two others were seriously injured in the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that rocked Mentawai Islands off Sumatra`s western coast. The fatalities were identified as Ridwan and Rosmilda. They were killed shortly after the quake rocked the area. However, the provincial government received a report on their death only three days later because of poor communication. Monday's quake destroyed tens of houses at Saumangnyak village in Mentawi Islands, leaving 233 families displaced. Three days after last Monday's quake, over 200 trauma-stricken people were evacuated to higher grounds for fear of aftershocks. In Sikakap village also on the islands, the quake caused major damage to 17 houses and lighter damage to 45 homes and the collapse of a senior high school building.
