Second Major Quake Hits Indonesia's Sumatra Hours After 7.7 Tremor Kills 40

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sumatra island, with its epicentre near Pematangsiantar, approximately 126 kilometres southeast of the regional capital Medan. The tremor occurred just hours after a stronger 7.7-magnitude earthquake had already hit the country, claiming at least 40 lives. The back-to-back seismic events have raised serious concerns about further casualties and damage in the region. Indonesia, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is frequently struck by significant earthquakes.