In Jakarta, the capital of Java, hundreds of workers and shoppers went into the streets from offices and shops in a bid to escape.
The mayor of Tasikmalaya’s home and a mosque were among the important buildings damaged by the quake.
The effects of the earthquake were felt 500km (300 miles) away in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, as well as on the island of Bali.
Reports say that at least 27 people in Jakarta were injured and the AFP news agency said that a woman was killed when a landslide destroyed her car.
