Jakarta: A powerful earthquake struck eastern Indonesia near the island city of Ternate, causing panic among residents and triggering brief tsunami warnings across the region.

The quake, which was first reported at a magnitude of around 7.8, was later revised to about 7.4 to 7.6 by monitoring agencies. It occurred in the Molucca Sea at a depth of about 35 kilometres, making the shaking strongly felt in nearby areas.

People ran out of their homes and buildings as the tremors lasted for several seconds. Authorities said at least one person died after being hit by falling debris, while several others were injured and taken to hospital.

Some buildings were damaged, including houses, a church and a sports facility. Power outages and fallen objects were also reported in affected areas.

Following the quake, tsunami warnings were issued for parts of Indonesia and nearby countries. However, only small waves of less than one metre were recorded, and the warnings were later lifted. Officials confirmed that no major tsunami impact occurred.

Several aftershocks followed the main quake, with some strong enough to be felt by residents. Authorities have advised people to stay away from damaged structures and remain alert as more tremors are possible.

Indonesia frequently experiences earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for intense seismic activity. Officials said the damage from this quake appears limited, but assessments are still ongoing.

Emergency teams are continuing to monitor the situation and assist affected communities.