Strong quake hits Indonesia, causes panic

updated 12:16 a.m. ET Oct. 25, 2009

JAKARTA, Indonesia - A powerful earthquake struck deep under the sea in eastern Indonesia, causing panic and sending residents running out of their homes, officials and witnesses said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The earthquake late Saturday night had a magnitude of 7.0, but at a depth of 86 miles was too far below the earth's surface to cause a tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The quake came as Indonesia is still recovering from a devastating earthquake last month that killed more than 1,000 people on western Sumatra.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the latest quake — the second strong temblor in two days — was located 225 miles southeast of Ambon in the Maluku islands in the Banda Sea.

The shaking was strong and people ran to higher ground fearing a tsunami, said Ian Kotualubun, an official with Indonesia's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency in Saumlaki, the area closest to the epicenter, about 2,700 kilometers east of the capital, Jakarta.

Police in Saumlaki said they had received no reports of damage or injuries.

Indonesia sits above a series of fault lines that make the vast island nation one of the most earthquake-prone places in the world. A massive quake off the coast of Indonesia's Aceh province caused the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 230,000 people, half of the victims on Sumatra island.

More from msnbc.com FirstPerson: Reasons why readers are thankful   Slideshow: Thanksgiving around the world Elkhart Project: Money pours in, pet adoptions increase Swine flu fears for hajj pilgrims On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM ASIA-PACIFIC

Asia-Pacific Section Front

Stocks end lower on Dubai’s debt woes Australia town to shoot invading camels Sea turtle sacrifices? Indonesia says no way China vows to slow carbon emissions growth S. Korea axes sex law targeting deceptive men Mayor faces charges in Philippines massacre China executes 2 for child abductions Chinese magazine reports on secret jails China reports 8 cases of swine flu mutation Asia-Pacific Section Front   Add Asia-Pacific headlines to your news reader: