Strong quake strikes near Indonesia

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of at least 6

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of at least 6.1 struck off Indonesia's North Moluccas today, officials said, but no tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of damage.

The US Geological Survey measured the quake at 6.1 and said it struck in the Moluccas about 200 kilometres north of Indonesia's Ambon island.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, said Oktivar, an official at Indonesia's Meteorological and Geophysics earthquake centre. Oktivar, who uses only one name like many Indonesians, said Indonesian officials put the quake at 6.4 using the old Richter scale.

Many residents in Ambon did not feel the tremor, said police officer Dewa. The epicentre of the quake was 155 kilometres southeast of Labuha in the North Moluccas at a depth of about 30 kilometres.