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Major quake hits Tongan islands
A major earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale was recorded off Tonga in the South Pacific early today.
New Zealand’s Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) said the quake was centred 170km north-east of Nuku’alofa, at a depth of 38km beneath the surface at 0127 AEST.Other agencies reported it was as shallow as 16km.
It was felt in Auckland 3,700km away.
Tongan officials said they were checking outer islands in the group, particularly the low-lying Hapai Islands, which were near the epicentre.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a tsunami alert for Fiji and New Zealand after tide gauges in Pago Pago, Samoa and Niue showed a small rise in sea levels, but this was subsequently withdrawn.
There were few reports of injury or damage in Tonga, although a hotel guest hurt his leg when he jumped from a third-floor window.
“He was the only tourist injured. He jumped from his room, maybe he was afraid,” said William Vea, the night receptionist at the Pacific Royale Hotel.
Graham Muldoon
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