A 70-year-old woman is killed and the tsunami warning level is lowered

An earthquake has struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia, killing at least one person, damaging homes and briefly sending small tsunami waves toward nearby coasts.

The US Geological Survey said that the 7.4-magnitude earthquake occurred under the Molucca Sea on Thursday morning at a depth of about 35 kilometers.

Within minutes, monitoring stations began detecting changes in sea levels across parts of the region.

Police officers inspect a damaged building following the earthquake in Manado. (AP)

The Indonesian Meteorological Agency said that waves about 30 centimeters high were recorded in western Halmahera, while smaller waves of about 20 centimeters reached Betung.

In the southern Philippines, minor fluctuations of about five centimeters were also recorded, although officials later confirmed that there was no wider tsunami threat.

The tremor was felt in multiple areas, including the coastal cities of Bitong and Ternate in North Maluku Province, where tremors lasted for up to 20 seconds and forced residents to leave their homes.

Early damage assessments indicate mild to moderate impacts.

In Ternate, a church was affected on the island of Batang Dua, and at least two houses were damaged in the south of the city.

The authorities are still working to determine the full extent of the destruction in other areas.

The Indonesian search and rescue agency said a 70-year-old woman was killed in the Minahasa district of North Sulawesi after the earthquake struck.

Another person was reported injured.

Officials urged caution as the situation continues to stabilize.

Disaster management spokesman Abdul Mahari warned coastal communities to stay away from beaches until an official permit is issued.

The initial earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, both of which occurred offshore. Although it was felt locally, authorities said it did not pose a tsunami risk.

Onlookers gather as police officers inspect a damaged building following the Manado earthquake. (AP)

Indonesia lies along a network of active fault lines within the Pacific Ring of Fire, making earthquakes a frequent danger across the sprawling archipelago of more than 280 million people.

– Reported by the Associated Press

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