Tsunami warning follows strong quake off Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia: A powerful earthquake struck waters off eastern Indonesia early on Monday, generating tsunami warnings for coastlines within 600 miles of the epicentre.

The US Geological Survey put the quake's preliminary magnitude at 7.5 and said it struck 13 miles beneath the sea. It was centered 54 miles from Gorantalo, a coastal town on Sulawesi island.

Fauzi, an official with the local geological agency who goes by only one name, put the magnitude at 7.7. He did not have any immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the quake had the potential to generate a destructive tsunami along coasts within 600 miles of the epicentre.