Tsunami rumor sets off panic after Monday's devastation

PANGANDARAN, Indonesia (AP) -- Rumors of another killer wave sparked mass panic Wednesday in the resort area hardest hit by the Indonesian tsunami, while the death toll rose to 531, with more than 270 missing.
More than 1,000 residents of the beach town of Pangandaran fled inland, running, bicycling or driving amid shouts of "The water is coming!"
"People suddenly started running, so I joined them," said Marino, 42.
It was unclear how the rumor started. Indonesia has no nationwide tsunami warning system and coastal residents had no notice of the onrushing wave Monday.
Several hours later, a strong earthquake off Java island's coast caused buildings in the capital, Jakarta, to sway for more than a minute. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
Monday's tsunami, triggered by a magnitude 7.7 undersea earthquake, smashed into a 110-mile stretch of Java's coastline, which was unaffected by the devastating wave in 2004.
Waves more than 6 feet high reached 200 yards inland, destroying scores of houses, restaurants and hotels. Cars, motorbikes and boats were left mangled amid fishing nets, furniture and other debris.
The region has been rattled by aftershocks, including Wednesday's quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1. Suharjono, head of the earthquake division at Jakarta's meteorological agency, told Metro TV that the temblor was not strong enough to trigger a tsunami, but he urged people to be on guard.