Wellington - A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 on the Richter scale shook the Pacific island state of Tonga early Wednesday but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a destructive widespread tsunami, like the one that ravaged three South Pacific nations after an 8.0 earthquake hit the region in September killing nearly 190 people.
The United States Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake, which struck at 2.47 am (1247 GMT November 24), was 135 kilometres from the Tongan capital Nukualofa at a depth of 10 kilometres.
Some people ran from their houses in panic and many fled to higher ground fearing another tsunami, a correspondent told Radio New Zealand.
