A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga, prompting an initial tsunami warning that was later lifted for the Pacific island country. The US Geological Survey said the quake hit about 100 kilometres northeast of the main island in the early morning hours of Monday local time.

There were no initial reports of damage. Residents in the Ha’apai island group had calmly moved to higher ground.

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