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TONGA-PACIFIC-EARTHQUAKE
Strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes NE of Tonga: US quake monitor
WELLINGTON, June 16, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck
Sunday centred 97 kilometres (60 miles) north-east of Ohonua, on the Pacific
island of Tonga, the US Geological Survey reported.
The quake hit at 2156 GMT Saturday with an epicentre depth of 10
kilometres, the US global quake monitor said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued no alerts, and there were no
immediate reports of damage or casualties.
The reported epicentre lies within the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an
area of regular seismic activity.
In February 2018, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Papua New Guinea killed 150
people and destroyed hundreds of buildings.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0843 hrs