TONGA: A powerful earthquake struck the South Pacific islands of Tonga yesterday, generating a tsunami, but there were no reports of damage.
The quake, measuring 8.1, struck 155km (95 miles) south of Tonga's Neiafu island at 4.26am local time, the US Geological Survey said.
"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated. It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicentre," said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.
Tongan officials said they were checking outer islands in the group, particularly the low-lying Hapai Islands, which were near the epicentre. The Tonga islands are an archipelago east of Australia, southeast of Fiji and northeast of New Zealand.
The quake raised fears of a major natural disaster similar to that caused by the 9.15 magnitude quake on December 26th, 2004, which generated giant tsunami waves across the Indian Ocean that killed more than 230,000 people.
The centre initially issued a tsunami warning for Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand and other South Pacific states, but there were no reports of abnormally large waves, local police and media said. It later cancelled the warning.
The earthquake temporarily cut power in Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa and tipped objects from shelves but caused no major damage or injuries.
A police officer in Tonga told Sky Television it was the largest tremor for over 20 years and lasted for more than 30 seconds.