Terrifying moment huge tsunami smashes into Indonesia island of Sulawesi

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

The footage shows the estimated six-feet 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 inital reports of at least five deaths.

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

The wave is seen crashing into cars, trees, smashing into homes and leaving a trail of destruction in its path. Water is also seen washing into town and close to a mosque.

Moments before it struck, people can be seen on the shoreline and they would inevitably have been hit by the tsunami.

The video footage was taken from on high, 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 midday British time.

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.