Doha: An earthquake measuring 4.9 magnitude on the Richter scale struck Thursday the Tonga Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The earthquake occurred 146 km east of Hihifo, at a depth of 35 km, the US Geological Survey reported.
According to Qatar News Agency, there have been no reports of casualties or material damage due to the earthquake so far. Tonga is an archipelago of 176 islands scattered in the South Pacific Ocean, of which only 52 are inhabited. It is located northwest of New Zealand and Australia.