The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on Wednesday cancelled an alert issued for countries along the Indian Ocean. 

This followed a massive 8.6 magnitude earthquake near Indonesia. 

The warning was issued to 28 countries and was extended for a further two hours when an aftershock struck off the coast of Sumatra. 

Speaking to Eyewitness News, numerous South African holidaymakers in Thailand said they were moved to higher ground.

One Krabi man said he battled to receive information, but things appeared to be returning to normal.

He said staff at the hotel did not say anything further about the tsunami. 

South Africa was amongst the countries to be issued with a tsunami watch.

But alerts for Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban and the Prince Edward Islands were withdrawn.

Shortly after the quake, a tsunami measuring just 17 centimetres was generated in the Indian Ocean. 

There were fears that the wave could gather momentum as it travels.