London [UK]: An earthquake of magnitude 7.4 has hit New Zealand near Christchuch on Sunday.
The epicentre of the earthquake was recorded 57 miles north-northeast of Christchurch, reports the Independent.
It struck at the shallow depth of 3.1 miles, 28 miles from the town of Amberley which has a population of 2,000 people.
Tremors were also recorded in the cities of Dunedin to the south and Wellington on North Island.
New Zealand lies on the volatile Ring of Fire on the Pacific rim which is known for erupting volcanoes and frequent seismic disturbances.
No causalities have been reported so far.
In 2011, 185 died when a quake struck the city on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. (ANI)