Three-metre tsunami sweeps away homes after earthquake rocks Indonesia

Terrifying footage has emerged of a tsunami crashing into the coastline of Indonesia after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

The footage shows the estimated three-metre (10 foot) high wave approaching before hitting land with devastating consequences.

When the surge does make land, people are seen screaming as they desperately run for safety.

There is no word yet on casualties, though there were initial reports of at least five deaths.

The footage was apparently taken in Palu, Sulawesi, on Friday.

The wave crashed into cars, trees, smashing into homes and leaving a trail of destruction in its path.

Moments before it struck, people can be seen on the shoreline. It’s not known if they had time to escape the tsunami.

The video footage was taken from a building, but even there desperate residents scurried for cover.

Moments after the wave hit, the screen goes dark.

The video comes as officials have confirmed a tsunami of up to two metres hit the city after a powerful earthquake rocked central Sulawesi.

Officials say that waters have since receded, but have confirmed that some families are missing.

They are yet unable to put a number on those affected.

The authorities had warned people to take cover after issuing earthquake alerts.

The earthquake hit just off central Sulawesi at a depth of six miles around 9pm AEST.

Indonesia was badly hit during the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which left almost 228,000 people dead, one of the deadliest natural disasters in history.

Around 170,000 of the victims were from Indonesia and more than 650,000 people were made homeless as a result.

Last month, earthquakes which struck the Indonesian island of Lombok, killed hundreds.