Indonesia issues tsunami warning after 7.9-magnitude earthquake

Cami Mondeaux

January 09, 01:23 PM January 09, 01:23 PM

Indonesian officials issued a tsunami warning in the country early Tuesday morning local time, just minutes after the country was shaken by a 7.9 earthquake.

The earthquake hit around 12:47 a.m. local time and was centered in the Banda Sea, about 229 miles northeast of East Timor. The earthquake was felt as far away as Australia, although officials say there is no threat of tsunami there at this time.

Indonesian officials have put several areas under a tsunami warning, directing local authorities to evacuate the areas. Other areas that are not under tsunami warnings are directed to stay away from beaches and other bodies of water until further notice.

This story is developing and will be updated.