Indonesia’s islands of Sumatra and Java were seriously jolted Wednesday by an earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale, at least three persons being killed by the powerful temblor which prompted the authorities to issue a tsunami warning.

An official from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said a tsunami could emerge after this powerful temblor, warning 27 countries in the Indian Ocean of the possible danger.

According to the organization, India and Sri Lanka could be struck within three hours by a tsunami, authorities being on high alert in the mentions nations.

The quake occurred at about 6:10 pm (1110 GMT) off the southwest coast of Sumatra Island, jolting the coastal areas, Indonesia’s capital Jakarta on Java Island and the Banten province in the western region of the same island.

A tsunami warning was lifted for Sumatra and Java after a considerable period has passed and there was no sign of the fierce wave, an official from Jakarta's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency informed.

People were running scared on the streets in the Bengkulu province, on the southwest coast of the island of Sumatra. Buildings began shaking dangerously and resident fled to higher areas, knowing a tsunami could strike their town at any moment.

In the same province a person was killed after being hit by falling debris, media informed. Also, two people were reportedly killed in west Sumatra by pieces of glass falling from buildings.

Communication systems were disrupted in Bengkulu, officials from the National Disaster Coordinating Agency saying no other casualties were reported, but rescue operations are still being conducted in several areas.

Many constructions were damaged, a three-storey collapsing after the strong quake struck the region. People filled the streets, most of them looking to leave the settlements and head for higher ground, fearing for their lives.

Wednesday’s temblor had its epicenter at about 10 kilometres beneath the sea floor and 159 kilometres south-west of the Bengkulu province, specialists said.

In the country’s capital Jakarta, panic spread quickly among people living or working in high-rise buildings, many running into the streets. Several people fainted, but no casualties were reported so far in the densely populated city.

Indonesia is part of the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire,” where seismic activity and volcanic eruptions are a common event.

Several regions were evacuated in Kuala Lumpur, where the jolt was also felt. The national Meteorological Department said Malaysia’s east coast was seriously shaken, but buildings remained intact and no injured people were reported.

Another 7.5-magnitude quake struck the northern coast of Java in August, but the epicenter was located at a considerable depth and didn’t cause substantial damage.

Nearly three years ago nine countries in Asia were struck by a fierce tsunami triggered by a 9.0-magnitude temblor. Nearly 177,000 people died only in the Indonesian province of Aceh.