An earthquake of 5.9 M (6.4 M as reported by Indonesian authorities) at a depth of 18 km occurred in the Mentawai Islands (West Sumatra Province, western Indonesia) on 29 August at 3.29 UTC (10.29 local time). The epicentre was located very close to the north-western coast of Siberut Island.

The earthquake was felt quite strongly by the residents of the Mentawai Islands. A foreshock of 5.7 M and three aftershocks up to 4.6 M have been recorded in the area.

USGS PAGER estimates that up to 2,000 people were exposed to strong shaking.

According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet), more than 2,300 people have been evacuated in three evacuation centres and some buildings have been slightly damaged.