The northern part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra has been hit by a major earthquake which registered 7.2 on the Richter scale.

A few people were injured but no one was killed and a tsunami warning was later cancelled. The epicentre was located at sea at a depth of 34 kilometres, about 200 kilometres northwest of the coastal city of Sibolga. The earthquake hit at 4.45 am local time.

Provincial governor Irwandi Yusuf says that power has failed in much of the province of Aceh and on the island of Simeulue, but most telephone lines are still working. The governor says there has been no serious material damage. Most of the residents of coastal areas who initially fled to higher ground have since returned home.

A Reuters photographer in Sinabang on Simeulue island, south of Aceh and close to the epicentre, said he saw four injured people, including a child with a head wound who had been hit by fallen masonry.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said 12 people were being treated at a hospital in Sinabang, with injuries caused by fallen electricity poles, roof tiles and shattered glass.

Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf said earlier there had been no reports of damage or casualties so far, although it would take time to reach remote areas.

"I am on the coast now, some people had gone to take refuge on higher ground but now they have returned to their homes," Yusuf told Metro TV.

RNW/Reuters