Strong earthquake in Indonesia felt in Darwin and other parts of the Northern Territory

A powerful earthquake is felt off the coast of Indonesia in the Northern Territory.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake was detected Tuesday at 3:17 a.m. local time (4:47 a.m. AEDT) in the Arafura Sea, 308 km from the city of Tual in the Moluccas region, triggering a tsunami alert from Indonesian authorities.

The effects were felt in Darwin and other parts of the Top End, including Katherine, as far south as Tennant Creek and into the extreme southern Kimberly.

Australia is not at risk of a tsunami, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

More than 2000 reports have been submitted to Geoscience Australia as Darwin residents recall being woken up by the terrible shaking.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Indonesia has rattled Australia’s Top End

“The earthquake in Indonesia shakes the people of Darwin awake. Felt all the way to Katherine and Kununurra. I’ve felt strongest in Darwin in my entire life,” Channel Nine political reporter Kathleen Gazzola tweeted.

Another wrote: “It was the (strongest) earthquake I’ve felt since I’ve been to Darwin. I hope everyone is safe.’

There’s more to come