From correspondents in Java, Indonesia, 09:30 AM IST

A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale Saturday rocked the eastern Indonesian province of Maluku, the country's meteorology agency said.

The quake occurred at 07.04 a.m. (0004 GMT) Saturday. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, officials said.

The epicentre of the quake was located 97 km northeast of the provincial capital Ambon, according to officials.

The National Disaster Management Agency said there were no reports of damage so far.

Indonesia sits on a vulnerable zone called 'the Pacific Ring of Fire', where the two continental plates meet and causes frequent volcanic movements.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)