By John Nedy
PADANG, Indonesia (Reuters) - Two strong earthquakes killed at least 15 people and injured dozens on Indonesia's Sumatra island on Tuesday, and were felt as far away as Malaysia and Singapore, where several buildings were evacuated.
In the West Sumatra provincial capital of Padang, the first quake of magnitude 6.3 sparked panic among seaside residents who feared it might trigger a tsunami.
However, there was no immediate tsunami warning after the quakes, which were on land.
The United States Geological Survey said its epicentre was around 420 km from Singapore. The Indonesian national quake centre measured the quake at 5.8 on the Richter scale.
Some buildings collapsed and several homes and other buildings were badly damaged by the tremors that sent several people scrambling for safety, including 200-300 patients who ran out of a hospital in Padang, a Reuters witness said.
A second 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the same area just two hours later, sparking fresh panic among residents.
Thirteen people died and more than 100 were injured in Solok town, about 40 km northeast of Padang, Syamsu Rahim, the mayor of Solok, told Reuters.
Sumatra, Indonesia
Two earthquakes, measuring 6.3 and 6.0 on the Richter scale struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra within the space of two hours, killing at-least 70 people. The death toll may rise as a large number of buildings were destroyed and the search for survivors continues.

No tsunami warning was issued, although some people in coastal areas moved inland.  However, as the quake was under land there was no likelihood of a tsunami.

The tremors were felt in Singapore and Malaysia as well.