Powerful quake strikes near New Zealand

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- A powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale rumbled near Kernmadec Island in New Zealand Tuesday local time, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The epicenter was at sea about 640 miles northeast of Auckland and 890 miles north-northeast of Wellington at a depth of about 12 miles, the geological service said.

A tsunami warning had not been issued, Xinhua reported.

There were no initial reports of casualties or damages, China's state-run news agency said.