6.1-magnitude earthquake strikes southeast of Tonga

SYDNEY - An magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck southeast of the Pacific island nation of Tonga on Sunday, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake hit 277 kms (172.12 miles) south-southeast of the capital Nuku'alofa at a depth of 66 kms, the USGS said.

The USGS initially tweeted that the earthquake was magnitude 5.8, later upgrading the number.

A powerful earthquakes hit Ecuador on Saturday, killing more than 70 people, and two consecutive nights of earthquakes rocked Japan Thursday and Friday. More than 1,500 people were injured in the two earthquakes.