Last Updated: 28 October 2010, 8:45

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami on remote islands off western Indonesia killing at least 40 people, with 380 still missing, said Indonesian officials Tuesday (26 October).

The quake hit 78 kilometres west of South Pagai in the Mentawai islands late on Monday.

According to the Health Ministry’s crisis centre a three-metre high wave washed away hundreds of houses on Pagai and Silabu, part of the remote and sparsely populated Mentawai island chain, a popular surfing spot 280 kilometres from the Sumatran coast.

It was also reported that most buildings in the coastal village of Betu Monga were destroyed and of 200 people living in that village, only 40 have been found.

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its location on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire - a series of fault lines stretching from the Western Hemisphere through Japan and Southeast Asia.

Asia World Indonesia’s tours to Sumatra are unaffected and are operating as normal.

We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated on new developments.