New Delhi, Aug. 15 -- In the early hours of Saturday, Indonesia was struck by a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake off its coast, damaging homes and buildings and triggering a tsunami warning. Authorities urged people in affected coastal areas to move to higher ground.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake struck Indonesia's Flores region at a depth of 10 kilometres at 5:58 a.m. local time. The epicentre was located 68 kilometres (42 miles) north-northwest of the city of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, news agency AP reported. At least two people were reported killed in the earthquake.

The initial earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, while tremors were felt across much of Flores Island. Initial reports indic...