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A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 under the sea in eastern
Indonesia has sparked a tsunami warning and caused residents in
coastal areas to flee their homes.
The quake struck at a depth of 28 miles (46 km) near the Maluku
Islands, which are about a four-hour flight from the capital, Jakarta.
So far, there have been no reports of casualties or damage.
Indonesia's meteorological agency said a tsunami wave of 9cm (3.54 in)
washed onto the small island of Jailolo but caused no damage.
The quake was strongly felt in several cities in eastern Indonesia,
sending many people to run from homes and other buildings, officials
and residents said.
"It was strong," said Regina Saerang, an eyewitness in Manado. "I felt
it for about a minute. There was no damage but people on my street are
pouring out of our houses."
The head of the disaster mitigation agency has ordered the preparation
of aircraft and logistics in case they are needed and further checks
of the affected areas are being made, Mr Nugroho said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said: "Tsunami waves are possible
for coasts located within 300 kilometres."
It said tsunami waves could hit parts of Indonesia, as well the
Philippines, Japan, Taiwan and islands in the South Pacific.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where continental plates
collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
A huge undersea quake in 2004 triggered a tsunami that killed more
than 170,000 people in Aceh province, on western Sumatra island, and
tens of thousands more in other countries with coasts on the Indian
Ocean.
A 6.1-magnitude quake that hit inland in Aceh in July last year left
at least 30 people dead and thousands homeless.
Sky News Report
