7.7-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia sparks mass evacuations

A strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia early Saturday, sending thousands running in panic after authorities issued a tsunami warning. Residents in Nagekeo regency, the area closest to the epicentre, raced for higher ground as the sea retreated -- a possible sign of an approaching tsunami, AFP journalists saw. The warning was later lifted. The epicentre of the shallow quake was located off the north coast of the island, about 68 kilometres northwest of the