Magnitude 7.3 earthquake hits New Zealand

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake has hit New Zealand. The quake was felt on the country's northern island in the early hours of Friday, local time.

The US Geological Survey initially pegged the quake at 7.3, then revised it down to 6.9. It said that the quake occurred at a depth of 10 km (6 miles).

Tsunami waves were possible within 300 km of the quake's epicenter, the PTWC said.