Indonesia tsunami warning lifted

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre have cancelled the tsunami warning for Indonesia after a powerful earthquake hit the country causing buildings to sway in the capital, Jakarta.

The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.9, the Indonesian Meteorological Institute said.

The US Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.9 and hit at about 6.10pm. (12.10pm Irish Time).

It was centred in the southern Sumatra area, it said.

The Meterological agency had earlier issued a tsunami warning for wide areas of the region.

“Earthquakes of this size have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Indian Ocean Basin,” it said.

In Jakarta, tall buildings swayed for several minutes, and occupants rushed to escape.