Major Pacific earthquake prompts tsunami warning

NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga (AFP) — A major 7.9-magnitude earthquake shook the South Pacific nation of Tonga Friday, prompting a tsunami warning but causing no major damage, officials said.

The quake, which hit at 7.17 am (1817 GMT), was centred 210 kilometres (130 miles) south-southeast of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.