Coastal areas of Indonesia felt strong tremors early this morning after an undersea earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck the region. A tsunami warning was issued shortly afterwards as authorities assessed the risk, and residents reported panic in the affected areas after aftershocks were also felt.
According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the earthquake was recorded at around 4:58 am local time. Its epicentre was located under the sea, at a depth of approximately 35 kilometres. At least three aftershocks followed the main quake, indicating that seismic activity in the region has not yet settled and further tremors cannot be ruled out.
Soon after the quake, Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning for some of the country's coastal areas. Agency teams are closely monitoring the situation and assessing which areas are likely to be worst affected by the quake and its aftershocks.
As the epicentre was located under the sea, the extent of the impact on land in Indonesia remains unclear. There has been no confirmation so far of any loss of life or property. Local officials are continuing to monitor the situation and further updates are awaited.
Separately, the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia has claimed 281 lives, with the toll expected to rise further. The quake struck on Monday, 10 August, at 6:04 pm IST (7:34 am local time), five kilometres south of San José del Palmar, at a depth of 110 kilometres. The tremors were so powerful that they were felt in neighbouring Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.
The disaster has left 3,971 people injured, many of whom are being treated in nearby hospitals, with several in critical condition. As many as 379 people remain missing, and debris from collapsed buildings is yet to be fully cleared, with fears that more people may still be trapped underneath.