JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Officials say a powerful earthquake that jolted eastern Indonesia today killed at least four people.

The magnitude 7.5 quake damaged hundreds of homes and briefly triggered a tsunami warning in the region -- but no large waves struck.

The shaking started in the middle of the night, sending thousands fleeing from homes, hotels and even hospitals. Some frightened residents refused to return indoors long after a local tsunami alert was lifted, and many slept in the hills overnight.