Earthquake of 7.4 magnitude hits South Island

The US Geological Survey said an Earthquake of magnitude-7.4 quake hit 59 miles (95km) from Christchurch

New Zealand civil defense has issued a tsunami warning for the eastern coast of the South Island nad has said anyone near the coast should move to high ground after an earthquake of 7.4 magnitude was reported.

The US Geological Survey said an Earthquake of magnitude-7.4 quake hit 59 miles (95km) from Christchurch, which is still recovering from the 2011 earthquake that killed 185 people and destroyed many buildings.Damage to some houses in Cheviot town near the epicenter have been reported.

The epicentre, with a depth of 10 km, was at 42.53 degrees south latitude and 173.05 degrees east longitude, Xinhua news agency cited the centre as saying in a statement. New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.

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