Unconfirm reports indicate that the tsunami has just hit Eastern Indonesia.
Indonesia: thousands flee giant tsunami
Thousands of people are fleeing their homes in north-eastern Indonesia after officials warned that a tsunami up to six feet high could hit coastal areas.
Some jumped in cars and motorcycles and headed to high ground as sirens blared. Others huddled in mosques or were brought to police stations or army barracks.
Alerts were issued along a 1,100-mile stretch of coastline, from North Sulawesi province to Papua.
Indonesia was hardest hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed more than 230,000 lives.
In Chile, the president called on the country to remain calm and go about business as usual despite the tsunami alert.
In Peru, authorities have issued a tsunami alert but no evacuations were imminent.
Chile’s National Emergency Office will issue reports throughout the day to keep the public informed of the danger, and there will be enough time to evacuate if necessary, President Sebastian Pinera said.
Just over a year ago, Chile was struck by a tsunami which devastated coastal communities after an 8.8 earthquake just off the central coast.
Today, the first place to be affected would be Chile’s Easter Island, in the remote South Pacific about 2,175 miles east of the capital Santiago, where the tsunami was expected to arrive around 5 pm (2000 GMT).
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