Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Jolts Bali

A deep, powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Bali and other Indonesian islands on Tuesday, according to the USGS, sending terrified visitors into the streets but inflicting little structural damage.

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at a depth of around 515 kilometers off the northeastern coast of Bali at roughly 3:55 am local time (19:55 GMT Monday).

The neighbouring islands of Lombok and Sumbawa as well as Bali felt the earthquakes.

Residents of Bali reported "longer and stronger" shakes than the initial aftershock.

"When the first earthquake struck, I woke up my husband. Not long after that, the second earthquake struck, so we immediately took our children outside," said Ardylla Yuliacitra, 31.

"The first earthquake made me sway like on a boat, and the second made my house tremble."

The USGS reported a 5.4-magnitude and a 5.6-magnitude aftershock within minutes of the initial quake.

Hotels evacuated their guests as staffers checked beaches for fear of a possible tsunami.

"We calmed (guests) and gave those who were fleeing mineral water and towels. The staff then asked guests to return to their rooms after 15 to 20 minutes, when it seemed safe to do so, according to Nimas Ayu, a spokeswoman for the Artotel hotel in Bali's eastern Sanur region.

Short boat journey from Bali, the epicentre was located 181 kilometers northeast of the Gili islands off Lombok.

According to Indonesian authorities, there was no immediate damage recorded and a tsunami was ruled out.

The organization in charge of mitigating the effects of the Bali tragedy said in a statement: "Our teams are carrying assessments as they are still gathering reports from the people."