Independent – A tsunami alert has been issued after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the northwest of Indonesia‘s Maluku Islands. The tremor was measured 83 miles (134km) from the port city of Ternate at a depth of 30 miles (45km), according to the US Geological Survey.

Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami alert following the quake, which hit roughly equidistant from the islands of Sulawesi and Halmahera, although they said the risk of dangerous waves reaching land was low. Strong tremors were felt on Sulawesi, west of the epicenter. Indah Lengkong, who lives in the port city of Bitung, said people had initially panicked. “The house was visibly shaking,” she added. ”The quake was very strong and lasted for a while.

We can still feel tremors but weaker.” A woman in Tondano, North Sulawesi, tweeted: “The earth was literally shaking so hard Indonesia’s Metro TV said some people had fled to higher ground in North Maluku. There were no immediate reports of injury or damage, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said hazardous waves were possible within 186 miles (300km) of the epicenter. It reported no tsunami risk for more distant areas. READ MORE