5-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Tonga Islands in South Pacific Ocean

Tonga: An earthquake measuring 5 magnitude on the Richter scale struck Wednesday the Tonga Islands in the South Pacific Ocean.

According to Qatar News Agency, the earthquake occurred 135 km east of Niuafo'ou, at a depth of 35.6 km, the US Geological Survey reported. 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.