Tsunami threat passes after 7.6 quake near Vanuatu

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says the tsunami threat has now passed, after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake this afternoon.

The quake struck at a depth of 10km, southeast of the Loyalty Islands, in New Caledonia.

A warning was issued for Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji, but the Hawaii-based centre now says the threat has passed.

However, it still advised people in the area to exercise caution near the sea, as minor fluctuations can occur in coastal areas.

There have so far been no reports of damaged.