A strong earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia early Saturday, prompting initial tsunami alerts that have since been lifted, though authorities are investigating reports of fatalities.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck waters off Indonesia's Flores island in the early hours of Saturday, according to readings from the US Geological Survey. The tremor was centered in a shallow zone beneath the north coast of the island, in a region known for seismic activity.

Indonesia's national meteorological agency, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), quickly issued tsunami warnings following the initial quake. However, officials later determined that the threat had subsided and subsequently cancelled the alert. Coastal residents in several areas had been instructed to move to higher ground as a precautionary measure during the warning period.

Authorities reported that they were examining claims of casualties resulting from the earthquake, with preliminary reports suggesting two deaths, though this remains under investigation. The full scope of any damage or impact on communities in the affected region has not yet been fully assessed.