Tsunami warning for Tonga after 7.1m earthquake hits nearby Pacific island country

A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake has hit near Tonga, and a tsunami warning has been issued for the Pacific island country.

The US Geological Survey said the temblor hit about 100 kilometres northeast of the main island in the early morning hours of Monday local time.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued an alert saying hazardous waves could be possible along coasts located within 300 kilometres of the epicentre.

No reports of damage were immediately available.

Tonga is a country in Polynesia made up of 171 islands with a population of a little more than 100,000 people, most of whom live on the main island of Tongatapu.

It is more than 3,500 kilometres off of Australia’s east coast.