Doha: An earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale struck the Kermadec Islands off the coast of New Zealand.
According to Qatar News Agency, the US Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km. No reports have been received so far of human or material losses as a result of the tremor.
The Kermadec Islands are located approximately 1,000 km northeast of New Zealand's North Island and are frequently subjected to strong earthquakes. The most recent of these was a 5.0-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale last October.