Thousands flee in south-central Vietnam following tsunami rumors

Thousands flee in south-central Vietnam following tsunami rumors

2011-09-12 13:59:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

LY VINH, VIETNAM (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of people on a small island off the south-central coast of Vietnam fled to higher ground on Saturday after rumors spread that a distant earthquake had generated a large tsunami, local media reported on Monday.

The Tuoi Tre newspaper reported that the scare happened on Saturday morning on the island of Ly Son, which is located several kilometers (miles) off the coast of south-central Vietnam. It has a population of nearly 20,000 people.

According to the report, several fishermen believed a powerful earthquake had occurred, generating a large tsunami which was heading towards Vietnam. The fishermen then warned family members and friends and urged them to run to higher ground.

"Seeing other people running up a mountain prompted me and many other people to start running as well," a district official told the newspaper. People returned to their homes after being assured by officials that there was no threat of a tsunami.

Officials are still investigating the source of the rumor.

Earlier this year, Vietnam successfully tested its first national tsunami warning center, but the system is still in its early stages and does not cover Ly Son island. Although the risk of a tsunami hitting Vietnam is very low, more warning stations are expected to be built along the coast in 2012.

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