An earthquake which struck under the sea off Indonesia's northern Aceh province with a magnitude of 8.6 prompted people to rush out in to the streets and away from buildings.

Fearing a tsunami, people made efforts to reach higher ground. The quake was followed by strong aftershocks.

The region is regularly hit by earthquakes. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, which killed more than 170,000 people in Indonesia, remains firmly lodged in the country's collective consciousness.

Despite the panic caused by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, there have been no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later cancelled its tsunami warning, which was issued to countries along the rim of the Indian Ocean, from Australia, to India and Africa.

In the southern Indian city of Chennai, patients were evacuated from hospitals.

Beaches in the coastal city were ordered to evacuate and cordoned off.