Earthquake hits off Pacific islands

The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 4.26 pm, was recorded to be in the sea 169 kilometres east of Tadine.

A 5.0-magnitude quake struck on Wednesday in the Pacific Ocean near a remote group of islands that form part of the French territory of New Caledonia, an observatory said.

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The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 4.26 pm, was recorded to be in the sea 169 kilometres east of Tadine in the Loyalty Islands at a depth of 30 metres, the Hong Kong observatory said.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage.