SUVA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 jolted 70 km NW of Fangale'ounga, Tonga, at 09:47 local time on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

There were no immediate reports of casualty or damage.

The epicenter, with a depth of 112.2 km, was determined to be at 19.377 degrees south latitude and 174.869 degrees west longitude, according to the USGS.

Local residents said the earthquake was felt in the capital.

Tongan officials have warned people to evacuate inland and head to higher ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not immediately issue a tsunami warning based on the quake.

Pacific island countries such as Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu lie on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones where continental plates collide producing frequent seismic activities. Enditem

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