Thousands flee their homes after a powerful earthquake triggered a tsunami warning

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Indonesia has raised a tsunami warning after a strong earthquake struck off the island of Flores on Tuesday morning.

Some experts estimated the earthquake’s magnitude as 7.3, while others – such as the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center – said 7.7.

An earthquake in eastern Indonesia has sparked panic amid fears it could cause a dangerous tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned.

The US-based warning center said tsunami waves may be possible on coasts located 1,000 km from the epicenter.

The earthquake struck eastern Indonesia at 3.20 a.m. GMT on Tuesday, but no tsunami warning was initially issued. The warning was issued later, before being rescinded at around 5.30 am by the Hawaii Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the Indonesian agency.

The quake occurred at a depth of 18.5 kilometers (11.5 miles) below sea level, the US Geological Survey said, and occurred 112 kilometers (74 miles) north of Momiri, the second largest area on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province. It has a population of 85,000 people.

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