Quake triggers tsunami on Indonesian island

A powerful earthquake sent a two-metre high tsunami crashing into a beach resort on Indonesia's Java island today, killing at least three people and causing extensive damage to hotels and houses, a witness and a government official said.

People fled to a local hill to escape the wave on Pangandaran beach in west Java, a woman who identified herself only as Teti told el-Shinta radio station.

"All the houses are destroyed along the beach," she said, adding that at least three people were killed and four others are missing.

The tsunami followed a 7.2-magnitude quake that struck deep beneath the Indian Ocean 240 kilometres southwest of Java's western coast at 3:24 pm (1354 IST), causing tall buildings to sway as far off as the capital Jakarta.

It was followed by a 6.1-magnitude aftershock two hours later.  Transport Minister Hatta Radjasa said he had heard reports about a tsunami striking two seaside towns, and urged people living on Java's southern coast to move inland in an orderly fashion. "Everyone should move from the beach," he said.