Saturday, January 28 2006 12:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ambon (Indonesia): A major earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale rocked eastern Indonesia early today (Jan 28,2006), cracking walls and triggering panic, the US Geological Survey and local residents said.

The quake struck at 1:58 am (2228 hrs IST last night in the Band Sea, around 195 kilometres south of Ambon city at a depth of 340 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said on its website.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.

Several buildings in Ambon, including the main shopping centre, the Ambon Plaza, sustained cracks to the walls, but there was no major damage.

"It was so strong that people who were soundly sleeping were awakened," Ambon resident Sulaiman Tuasikal.

Detikcom news portal said the quake also cracked the walls of houses and government buildings in Masohi in Central Maluku, which is closest to the quake epicentre.

Hundreds of Masohi residents had fled to higher ground and refused to return to their homes, fearing a tsunami, it said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii, which monitors seismic events and their tidal wave-generating potential, put out a bulletin following the quake, but said no tsunami was anticipated.

"A destructive tsunami is not expected from the earthquake," Stuart Weinstein, the centre's assistant director, told sources.