Sri Lanka, April 2 -- A powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake has struck in the Molucca Sea region north-east of Indonesia, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The USGS reported aftershocks as high as magnitude 5, and Indonesia's meteorology agency BMKG reported tsunami waves in West Halmahera at 0.3m high and Bitung at 0.2m high.

The quake, which hit early today, had a depth of 35 kilometres and its epicentre was 127km west-north-west of Ternate, Indonesia, the USGS said.

The US tsunami warning system said tsunami waves were possible in neighbouring countries.

Indonesian broadcaster Metro TV reported one person had died from falling rubble in the Manado area, and video showed damaged buildings.

A Manado resident told Reuters t...