MANILA, Philipines — International reports said a strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake has accordingly hit the Indonesian coast in the Molucca Sea, prompting a tsunami warning for nearby areas, on early Friday.

The magnitude of 7.1 quake was centered in the sea about 140 kilometers northwest of Ternate in North Maluku province, according to the report of the US Geological Survey.

Geophysics Agency and Indonesia’s Meteorology Climate said tsunami warning issued for North Sulawesi and North Maluku was canceled two hours after the quake hit.

Small tsunami of up to 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) occurred in North Maluku’s Ternate City about 26 minutes after the strong quake hit, and 10 centimeters (4 inches) in North Sulawesi’s Bitung town, 51 minutes after the quake.

North Maluku and North Sulawesi residents have already been ordered by authorities to go back to their homes.
Information on the magnitude of damage caused by the earthquake is still being processed the Indonesian national disaster agency said. (Cate Pallarco/IAMIGO/CNS)