Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off coast of Indonesia; tsunami warning issued

JAKARTA, Indonesia - A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Flores region early Saturday morning, prompting a tsunami warning. No immediate reports of injuries or property damage have been released. The quake, which had a depth of 10 kilometers, hit 68 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province.

The U.S Geological Survey reported the initial tremor, which was followed by two aftershocks. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning, urging residents to evacuate beaches and riverbanks. The agency pinpointed the shallow undersea quake near Flores island. Authorities are closely monitoring coastal tide gauges for any changes.

Situated on the "Ring of Fire," Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of over 17,000 islands, is frequently at risk of earthquakes and volcanic activity.