Strong 6.3 magnitude quake hits New Zealand’s Kermadec Islands: USGS

WELLINGTON: A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand’s Kermadec Islands in the South Pacific late Wednesday, the US Geological Service that monitors quakes worldwide said.

The quake’s epicentre was 201km north east of Raoul Island -- the largest and northernmost of the main Kermadec Islands, striking 12km below the surface, the USGS said.