Jakarta, Aug 15 (V7N)- A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday (August 15), prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning and evacuate residents in several areas.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck the Flores region at around 5:58am local time. The epicentre was located about 68 kilometres northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province.

Two aftershocks were recorded following the main earthquake, including one measuring 6.1 in magnitude. There were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries, although several buildings were reportedly damaged.

Lucas Lotter, a 31-year-old hospital worker in Ende, said the tremors were extremely frightening and caused patients to leave the hospital. Cracks reportedly appeared in some walls due to the shaking.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning following the earthquake, urging residents to stay away from beaches and riverbanks.

BMKG's earthquake and tsunami department director Wijayanto said modelling indicated a potential tsunami threat to East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara.

According to the warning, tsunami waves could potentially reach between 0.5 and 3 metres in height.

Residents in Maumere on Flores island began moving to higher ground as a precaution. A local reporter also reported a slight recession of seawater, which can sometimes occur before a tsunami.

Television footage showed damaged buildings, while hundreds of residents in nearby Nagekeo Regency were seen moving towards safer areas.

Authorities said there had been no confirmed casualties as of the latest reports. However, tsunami waves measuring between 19 and 30 centimetres had already been detected.

Indonesia is highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic activity because it lies along the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire, an area with intense seismic and volcanic activity.

Meanwhile, Australia's Tsunami Warning Center said the earthquake posed no tsunami threat to mainland Australia, its islands or territories.

END/SMA/AJ