An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale hit Ternate in North Maluku, eastern Indonesia, at 4.15am local time this morning, damaging scores of homes and a religious building used for worship.
The epicenter of the earthquake was 73 miles northwest of Ternate, in the Pacific Ocean, 7.5 miles below the sea, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.
According to Ternate Mayor Burhan Abdurahman, the worst affected area was Batang Dua district, where dozens of buildings were severely damaged.
He said: “I have instructed all district heads to collect data and information about the damage and immediately make reports to the Ternate administration.”
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I have instructed all district heads to collect data and information about the damage and immediately make reports to the Ternate administration.
Emergency services have sent rescue teams to the area and aid will be brought to victims via the sea.
The Pacific Ring of Fire is the most seismically active place on Earth with several volcanoes currently erupting and numerous earthquakes, as reported by Express.co.uk.
Tremors were felt in Manado, Tondano and Bitung in North Sulawesi, leading to fears the undersea quake could send a huge tsunami wave over Pacific Islands, like the 2004 Boxing Day one which left tens of thousands dead in south east Asia.
But officials have quelled fears saying there is no current risk of a tsunami.