19 Jan 2009

Strong earthquake strikes near Loyalty Islands

6:22 pm on 19 January 2009

A strong earthquake of 6.9 magnitude struck southeast of New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands on Monday according to the United States Geological Service.

The quake hit about 334 kilometres from Tadine in the Loyalty Islands and 455 kilometres from the New Caledonian capital of Noumea at 03:35 GMT, at a depth of 52 kilometres.

No immediate tsunami warning was issued.