Tsunami warning is lifted after strong earthquake strikes near Fiji

SYDNEY – A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean near Fiji Wednesday morning, prompting a tsunami warning and evacuations in some parts of the country’s main island.

The quake, earlier measured at 7.2 magnitude, was centered about 140 miles southwest of the Fijian capital Suva, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The earthquake was about 10 miles deep and struck just before 11 a.m.

A tsunami alert was initially issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for some parts of the Fijian coast but was later rescinded.

The Fijian Department of Mineral Resources also said there was no longer a tsunami threat and asked coastal dwellers “to remain vigilant as aftershocks continue along the earthquake source zones.”

Fiji Red Cross worker Corinne Ambler wrote on Twitter that although the tsunami threat was over, people were still trying to get out of coastal towns to higher ground in Suva.

“What I’m seeing is just streams and streams of people walking uphill. There’s just a traffic jam, a whole pile of cars trying to get out of town,” Ambler wrote.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, however local media reported that people were being evacuated from resorts in the tourist town of Nadi.

The president of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, Dixon Seeto, said all resort properties along the Coral Coast had taken appropriate measures.

“They all know what to do in a situation like this and they all have plans for this type of scenario,” Seeto told the Fiji Times.

Suva resident Kelvin Anthony said there was a power outage on the main island following the quake and the government was yet to say when the service will be restored.