Indonesia earthquake: Tsunami warning issued after quake strikes near Sulawesi island

Authorities initially urged people to evacuate to higher ground

A tsunami warning that was issued after an earthquake struck off the east coast of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, has now been lifted.

The quake, which hit at a depth of 43km, had a magnitude of 6.8, the US Geological Survey said. Authorities initially urged people to evacuate to higher ground.

"It is clear that the quake has tsunami potential," said geophysics agency spokesperson Taufan Maulana. "Residents are advised to evacuate as soon possible."

The epicentre of the quake was far from the Sulawesi city of Palu, which was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami in September, but it was felt there and caused people to run into the streets in panic.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the quake, the agency said, though one resident of Manado, on the northeastern tip of the island, said it was "strong and long lasting".

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire."

The southeast Asian country suffered its highest death toll in natural disasters in more than a decade last year, following two major tsunamis and several earthquakes, with more than 3,000 killed in Palu.