Magnitude 7 earthquake hits islands off New Zealand

International Desk: A magnitude 7.0 earthquake in the Kermadec Islands sparked tsunami fears in New Zealand’s North Island on Sunday morning.

Later, Civil Defence said that there is no tsunami threat to New Zealand after a magnitude 7 earthquake struck in the Kermadec Islands region in the Pacific Ocean.

The organisation issued a tsunami warning at 11.37am Sunday, following the quake just after 11am.

However, an all-clear was issued eight minutes later.

According to Civil Defence, the quake was 10km deep. It was originally reported as magnitude 7.4, but later downgraded to 7.

The Kermadec Islands are about 800-1000km northeast of the North Island. They can only be accessed with a permit from Customs and the Department of Conservation (DOC).

They are uninhabited apart from Raoul Island Station, where there is a meteorological station and a hostel for DOC workers and volunteers.

DOC said all seven of its staff based on the island had been accounted for and were safe.

"No other contractors or visitors were on the island when the quake struck."

A spokeswoman said staff would look into whether there had been any damage to the island on Sunday.

Earthquakes have frequently struck the Kermadecs, including a 7.4 magnitude quake in 2006 and a 7.6 in 2007.

In 2011, two quakes, measuring 7.6 and 7.4, struck three months apart.

Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/Jun 16, 2019/Nasim