Earthquake strikes off Indonesian coast

A strong earthquake has hit waters off eastern Indonesia, according to geological agencies - although there is thought to be no threat of a tsunami.

The US Geological Survey said the quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.6 struck off the Moluccas islands on Monday.

It was centred 30 miles beneath the ocean floor around 140 miles from Ternate, the capital of North Maluku province.

A spokesperson from the Indonesian meteorological and geophysics agency said at that depth and magnitude, there was no danger of a tsunami.

AP