The National Meteorological Department said that the affects ofthe earthquake were felt in Male and nearby areas around 6:30 a.m. local time.

Witnesses said that tremors were felt for around two minutes. Residents in the capital said that they woke up when their beds started to shake.

There has been one reported death with more reports of injuries coming in.

A British tourist at White Sand Beach resort (Dhidhoofinolhu) island in South Ari atoll, which is adjacent to Male atoll, died from a heart attack possibly after seeing the huge wave coming to the island, an official said.

All the 50 water bungalows built in the island's lagoon have been washed away, an official from the resort said.

Other resorts are also reporting the destruction of water bungalows and jetties while inhabited islands are reporting the damaging of jetties, and flooding of homes and warehouses.

"Some islands are reporting that tidal waves are still floodingin the outer atolls," official said.

The government has asked vessels not to travel and also has asked people not to stay near the sea, warning there could be another tsunami in the next 12 hours.