At approximately 5.16 pm on 30 September 2009, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck 600 km north-west of Padang in Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake brought down hospitals, schools, shopping malls, hotels, government offices, power lines and triggered landslides.

The following day at 8.25 am, another unrelated quake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck 1000 km south of the original epicentre, but caused no immediate casualties or damage.

There were 1117 people killed in the initial earthquake, 1214 people who sustained serious injuries and 1688 who sustained minor injuries. Approximately 135,448 homes were seriously damaged, while 78,604 sustained only minor damage. Other damage included 2163 classrooms; 51 health facilities; 1001 worship houses; 21 bridges; 178 roads; and 130 irrigation infrastructures.

There was at least one permanent Australian resident who was killed by the earthquake. Australia was significantly involved in aid and recovery following this event.