7.1 magnitude quake out at sea north of New Zealand triggers tsunami warning

Emergency services in New Zealand called on residents to evacuate the northeast coast of the North Island after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded early Friday 167 kilometers (105 miles) out at sea in case a tsunami was triggered.

Civil defense authorities called on those living in the Tologa Bay area to leave their homes after the quake struck northeast of Gisborne.

There were no reports of injuries or damage more than an hour after the quake hit.

Wellington resident Sinead Roe told EFE that the quake was not felt in her city, but news reports had said a small wave of 30 centimeters (11 inches) had hit northern beaches.

“People have started to evacuate from coastal regions,” Roe said.

Civil defense asked people to remain vigilant and to listen to radio and television announcements while the severity of the threat was assessed.

People living in coastal areas were asked to move uphill to higher ground.

The quake was followed by several powerful aftershocks, several media reported on their Twitter accounts.

New Zealand registers more than 14,000 earth tremors a year, although most are too weak to be felt.

The city of Christchurch on the South Island was severely damaged in 2011 by a 6.3 magnitude quake that killed 185 people.