The quake struck on land in Cianjur town, which is located about 45 miles from the capital Jakarta.
Hundreds have been injured.
With hospitals having to treat many outside.
Herman Shuerman is a local government official.
He said over 700 people are injured, but it was difficult to keep count.
Rescue efforts were underway, with rescuers trying to reach survivors trapped under rubble.
But officials have warned that electricity is down in certain areas, disrupting communications efforts.
And that access to some areas had been blocked by landslides, hampering evacuation efforts.
In less than two hours after the quake hit, 25 aftershocks were recorded, according to the weather and geophysics agency (BMKG).
In Jakarta offices were evacuated, with workers saying they felt the buildings shake.
Indonesia straddles the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire" - a highly seismic active zone - meaning it is prone to earthquakes.
