Earthquake of magnitude 7.1 hits New Zealand, no major casualties reported
The Tsunami alert that was set off following the quake was cancelled after the the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that only a 21-cm wave had been measured.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 on the Richter scale hit 169 km north-east of Gisborne in New Zealand on Friday triggering a Tsunami warning that was later cancelled, reported BBC. The quake that took place in the sea led to the evacuation of the Tolaga Bay residents on the east coast of the country's North Island.
There have been no reports of anyone casualties, but the local administrations have recorded some damage to property. The people who were made to leave their homes fearing a Tsunami, were told to return to their neighbourhoods after the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said that only a 21-cm (8-inch) wave had been measured following the quake. As aftershocks of magnitude 5 and above on the scale continue to rock the region, authorities asked people to stay away from beaches.