The quake's epicentre was in the Manipa Strait, 118 kilometres (74 miles) northwest of the islands' largest city, Ambon, said Benny Sipolo, the head of the geophysics and meteorology agency in the city.

"Such a strong earthquake has the potential to cause a tsunami but so far we have not received reports of casualties or a tidal wave despite seven aftershocks since this morning," Sipolo told AFP.

He said the quake was felt most strongly in the coastal town of Namlea in Buru island.

A policeman on duty in Namlea said the quake was "quite strong" but so far there had been no reports of damage or deaths from smaller towns in the island.

The Indonesian archipelago is one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions, sitting on the so-called "Pacific Rim of Fire" noted for its volcanic and seismic activity.

TERRA.WIRE