QUAKE HITS BANDA ISLAND

Ambon, Maluku, June 18 (ANTARA) - An earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale shook the eastern Indonesian island of Banda on Thursday, causing panic to local residents.

The epicenter of the quake which struck at 2.37 p.m. was in the sea about 160 km southeast of Ambon island, close to Banda island, in a depth of 18 km, the Ambon meteorology and geophysics station said.

The quake prompted people living in Banda Island to rush outdoors and seek safer grounds.

The tremblor also caused people living in neighboring Rhun island to evacuate for fear of aftershocks.