A 6.4 earthquake has hit close to the island of Niutoputapu in Tonga at 6pm after a 7.6 magnitude earlier struck Samoa.
But there were no immediate reports of injury or destruction and no tsunami warning has been issued.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the first quake had a magnitude of 6.4 and a depth of 11 kilometres (7 miles), striking 109 kilometres (68 miles) northeast of Tonga’s Hihifo district Monday night. It was followed 30 minutes later by a magnitude-6.5 quake that had a depth of 15 kilometres (9 miles) and struck 99 kilometres (62 miles) northeast of Hihifo.
Leveni Aho, Director of Tonga’s National Emergency Management Office, reportedly said his staff was trying to make contact with officials on the islands near the epicenter, but had not received any reports of damage. No tremors were felt on Tonga’s main island, located about 600 kilometres (370 miles) south of Hihifo, he said.
“I think if there was anything significant, it would have been reported by now,” Aho said.
