New Zealand evacuates some coastal areas due to tsunami fears after quake
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Civil defense authorities in New Zealand ordered the evacuation of some coastal areas early on Friday due to fears that an offshore earthquake could cause a tsunami, although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said it did not see this as a major threat.
The quake struck at 4:37 a.m. (1637 GMT) at a depth of 55 km (34 miles) and was 130 km north-east of Te Araroa, off the North Island, according to government earthquake detection service Geonet.
(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
© Copyright Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved. The information contained in this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Reuters Ltd.
