Moderate earthquake hits Northern Sumatra

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale hit northern Sumatra, Indonesia at 9.55pm tonight, the Malaysian Meteorological Department reported.

In a statement, it said the quake's epicentre was 70km southwest of Lhokseumawe, Indonesia and 376km southwest of Balik Pulau, Penang.

No tsunami threat was detected, it added.

Earlier today, a 6.1-magnitude quake struck Indonesia's Aceh province, killing at least five people and injuring dozens in a region devastated by the quake-triggered tsunami of 2004.