A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake has hit near Tonga, prompting a tsunami warning for the Pacific island country.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert saying hazardous waves could be possible for coasts located within 300 kilometers of the epicentre.

More than 2,000 people have reported feeling the quake which range from strong shaking to ‘light’ tremors.

Very few residents have been exposed to any danger during the initial earthquake and the risk of landslides is small, according to the US Geological Survey.

It is not yet known if there have been any casualties.

It follows just days after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, with seventeen hundred people confirmed dead.

Humid weather conditions in Myanmar and Thailand have made rescue efforts difficult as aid workers continue to search for survivors.

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