1. The Indonesian island of Sumatra has been hit by at least two strong earthquakes, and several aftershocks.
2. When the first earthquake hit on Wednesday, buildings collapsed, sending panicked residents onto the streets.
3. US seismologists described the 8.4-magnitude earthquake as the strongest recorded anywhere this year.
4. The second quake, registering a magnitude of 7.7, hit as the government was arranging relief supplies and sending assessment teams to the area - BBC.Indonesia, part of the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire", is very frequently shaken by earth tremors.