7.3 magnitude earthquake hits off coast of Indonesia

A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's eastern coast on Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), prompting people in nearby towns to run into the streets and seek higher ground, reported from CNN.

The quake hit 112 kilometers (69 miles) north of Maumere, on Indonesia's Flores Island. The USGS said it struck at a depth of 18.5 kilometers (11 miles) in the Flores Sea.

Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, the US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, "hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of the earthquake epicenter."

National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said that there are no reports of casualties or damage.

The last major earthquake was in January, a magnitude 6.2 that killed at least 105 people and injured nearly 6,500 in West Sulawesi province.

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