JAKARTA, Jan. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- A strong earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale jolted several islands in Indonesia's Maluku province, especially the province's capital Ambon and surrounding areas on Saturday, causing local people to panic, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, Antara news agency reported.

    According to the Ambon Meteorology and Geological Agency, the quake occurred at 01:59 Saturday (1659 GMT Friday) and was located in the Banda Sea in a depth of 377 km. It was felt by Bali and Sorong as well as some areas in south Sulawesi province.

    The epicenter of the earthquake, which lasted for about seven minutes, was at 4.47 in south latitude and 129.95 in east longitude as well as 33 km depth from the sea level.

    Earlier reports quoting other meteorology and geological agencies as saying that the quake was measured 7.5 on the Richter scale.

    Many residents in Ambon run out of their homes with their motorcycles. They run to higher places, about 500 meters from the coast, as feared about happening of tsunami just like that in Aceh province in 2004, the report quoted chief of Ambon meteorology and geological agency Beny Sipolo as saying.

    Indonesia is prone to seismic upheaval because of its location atop a volcanically active region.

    An earthquake measuring 9 on the Richter scale and subsequent tsunami on Dec. 26, 2004, killed more than 130,000 people in Indonesia's Aceh province. Enditem