WELLINGTON: A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand's South Island on Tuesday (Mar 25), authorities said, prompting the country's disaster agency to warn residents to avoid coastal areas.

The tremor– initially recorded at a 7.0 magnitude– hit at 2:43 pm local time (0143 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) off the southwest tip of the country’s South Island

WELLINGTON – A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand’s South Island on March 25, the United States Geological Survey said. The tremor hit at 2.43pm (9.43am Singapore time) at a depth of 10km off the south-west tip of South Island, according to the USGS.