Breaking! : Massive 7.4 powerful magnitude earthquake hits New Zealand

AN EARTHQUAKE measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale has rocked New Zealand's South Island to the north of Christchurch.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake's epicentre was 57 miles away from the city and struck just after midnight local time.

Christchurch is the biggest city on New Zealand's South Island.

A 6.3 quake there in February 2011 killed 185 people and caused widespread damage.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat from the quake.

There are no immediate reports of damage from the latest quake which was felt across a large area, including Christchurch.

A magnitude-7.1 quake struck 105 miles north-east of Gisborne on the North Island in September, sparking a tsunami warning. It caused some damage to property, but no injuries.

souce : Sunday Express