12:03 pm today

6.9 earthquake strikes off Tonga

12:03 pm today

update

The 6.9 earthquake was centred 72 km west of Pangai, Tonga.

The earthquake was 72km from Pangai. Photo: USGS / Screenshot

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake has struck the Tonga region, the US Geological Survey is reporting.

The quake hit about 12:30pm local time.

The USGS reports the epicentre was 72km west of Pangai at a depth of 106km.

The US Tsunami Warning System says no tsunami was expected, Reuters reports.

The quake was initially reported as a magnitude 6.6 but later upgraded.

- RNZ / Reuters