Java rattled by 52 strong aftershocks

Four strong quakes on Wednesday morning with magnitudes of 4.9 to 5.4 prompted hundreds of people to flee for higher ground.

Local television footage showed frightened residents in the tsunami-ravaged area of Pangandaran jumping on motorbikes or in cars, almost causing traffic accidents as they tried to reach higher ground.

Crying women and children ran towards Pangandaran's main mosque and even soldiers and police were seen fleeing the beach area, witnesses told AFP.

A local official said an aftershock combined with a rising tide had sparked rumours that Pangandaran would be hit by another devastating tsunami.

"There was a rising tide, but we can be sure that there won't be a new tsunami," said Ciamis district spokesman Wasdi bin Umri.

"People are still traumatised. That's why they ran to higher ground in panic when they heard the rumours," he added.

Jajat Jatnika, an official at the meteorology office in Jakarta, told AFP that the latest quake hit at 11:19 am (0419 GMT) and had a magnitude of 5.1.