Magnitude 7 quake hits near New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a favoured holiday destination for many. Photo: Getty
A spokesman for the government in Noumea, the New Caledonia capital, and staff of two hotels contacted by Reuters said they did not feel the quake. Photo: Getty

A major undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck close to New Caledonia in the South Pacific on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake, which was at a shallow depth of 15km below the seabed, did not trigger a tsunami, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii and the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre.

The epicenter was located 117.48km east of the town of Tadine, on the Loyalty Islands, part of France's New Caledonia territory.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

A spokesman for the government in Noumea, the New Caledonia capital, and staff of two hotels contacted by Reuters said they did not feel the quake.

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